Listener 4112: Girl by Xanthippe

[Zabadak]

Really, really laugh-out-loud funny crossword, worth all the struggle through the barless grid and the decent, twisty set of clues. Goodness knows what form you're supposed to submit it in, but no doubt I'll work something out. Perhaps not the hardest (though it seems to be a late entrant tonight) but easily the most cheerful in ages. Raucous cheers to Xanthippe!

[Ruthrobin]

Well, I am wondering how I am going to fulfil the instructions Xanthippe has finally given to me. I haven't been laughing out loud, Zabadak, but have battled with all that wordplay and finally got a very satisfactory full grid (and the girl).

[Zabadak]

Hi RR - there are two ways of fulfilling the first half of the instruction, and only one for the second part which gives you anything worth following. I didn't find the girl until I had completed the instructions. Don't discard anything!

[dr b]

I was dreading the grid fill (much cold solving, bar-less grid) but found it surprisingly straightforward. I now have the instruction and the "thematic definition" & will figure out what to do tomorrow, as dinner & theater again await - though tonight it's my daughter's high school play, "Noises Off". (She plays Poppy Norton-Taylor.)

[midazolam]

Yes tougher than some and a fun finale (recalling Xanthippe's fun solitaire finale). Despite getting the 4 word phrase I am slightly tense at what to submit as well.

[AndrewG-S]

Grid filled and nearly there on the instructions and definition, but like dr b watched my son in play this evening which was better than continuing to battle with the Listener! Thoroughly enjoyable so far.

[AndrewG-S]

I am fairly sure I have this now and if I am right in my suspicions that I agree it is amusing...will hopefully confirm tomorrow

[serpentinew]

Very amusing finale indeed - I'm assuming a second grid needs to be filled for the submission as its not that easy to undo the instructions.

[thebuzz999]

I, too, am not 100% sure what is supposed to be submitted.

It does not actually say that one should obey the instructions...just that they enable one to extract the phrase.

[AndrewG-S]

It was as I thought, excellent puzzle and great finish. 3 posts in a row is starting to feel like I am talking to myself though...

[aldanna]

We are visiting daughter and family Down South this weekend. Not much time to look at crosswords yet, but I am babysitting tonight and will look forward to being suitably amused then.

[bobbycollins]

Just popped in to bookmark the link. Happily I have solved the two ten letter acrosses and the first nine letter down, which got me off to a good start. My afternoon is to be spent in (no doubt) torrential rain screaming on Fleetwood Town against the mighty Rushden & Diamonds. COME ON YOU CODHEADS

[daagg]

Hmm, the instructions are certainly a little ambiguous, if not contradictory, when it comes to submission requirements. This was more challenging than recently, but good fun - and with a good &lit clue (I thought the second was a bit contrived).

[dr b]

Yes, I was quite struck by the.... oh, if only there were a phrase to describe the point in time when you finally realized what was going on..... well, you know what I mean.

Off to rake leaves on our first true day of fall (76 yesterday, 48 today).

[daagg]

Dr B, you count the leaves !?!

[tilbee]

Slow but steady in completing grid this afternoon - definitely harder than some recently. Now just need to work out how to follow the instructions - always a bit wary to jump in too quickly, since only have the original copy and making the wrong move may not be easily irreversible ?

[tilbee]

Hmm - seem to be looking for more of something than actually exists in the grid - or perhaps I have misunderstood the instructions ?

[contendo]

Filled the grid, got the instructions and the thematic definition and the girl, though not quite sure what manipulation will bring her together. Following the instructions hasn't yet revealed the four-word phrase but no doubt it will surface in time.
Hope you enjoyed "Noises off" Dr B. It's a brilliant play though I'm not sure a school production would do it justice.

[dr b]

daagg, normally I do; my initial count of 48 turned out to be a substantial underestimate.

"Noises Off" was great . A very elaborate set - 4 doors down, 4 up - all of which were opened and slammed with superb timing. I say this not as a proud dad, of course, but as a very picky critic.

[trux]

Making rather heavy work of this - have deduced the instruction and the definition (and hence the girl) but struggling with too many of the clues for the moment, almost certainly because of rather late evening last night and inevitable consequences today..... Will sleep on it (and wake up more refreshed, mehopes) but first must go rejoice at MoftheD as my beloved Red & White's romp over the Reds (hurrah!). It's probably just as well that our manager, Tony Pulis, doesn't do the Listener otherwise I am sure he would complain every week about the puzzle being unfair, lol.

[trux]

Brain more switched on later last night, and grid all filled now .... just need to start the manipulations