CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Apprentice that reveals lack of grip? (6) 4 This might have made woman something to eat (5,3) 9 Old burial site featuring in pub argument? (6) 10 Letter like ‘O’ (8) 12 Stage set to see fall by defender (8) 13 Paid companion – his age is variable (6) 15 Victim as result of ‘Comedy Store’ ? (8,5) 18 Relish errors by a person following mild punishment (5,4,4) 20 Part of play about fighting (6) 22 Neat changes in wordless performance one should see in the intervening period (8) 24 Understand restaurant booking is achievable (8) 25 Fodder is turned and left to mature (6) 26 Reject drink after performance on stage (4,4) 27 Witness’s source of tension during a trial (6)

DOWN

1 Arrest old boys and rich influential people (6) 2 Shot cavalier infected by Latin disease (9) 3 Obscure sort of clock light is an escape from reality (5-6-4) 5 Penny’s on edge, being prudish (4) 6 Very clever person notes it’s cricket to be played (6,9) 7 Turns over parts in play to be broadcast (5) 8 Military quarters forbid instruments of torture (8) 11 Dressed in thong, zip to the USA (7) 14 A requirement to include one’s flavouring (7) 16 Pig-headed and old, at best in being treated (9) 17 Set out to impound consignment – French delicacy (8) 19 Elite religious body infiltrated by the Spanish (6) 21 Coach and team’s leader in heavy defeat, having been set up (5) 23 Punch that makes one black and blue (4)