CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

Across

3 Is she taking an opposite position? (5)

8 A song of praise, in fact, meant he met the level needed (6)

9 By chance, managed to perform with a leading man, at some stage (6)

10 Some Brits get round to a French restaurant (6)

11 Made an effort to have reached one's target (8)

12 and 29 Is a sweetmeat twice as good in Paris? (6)

13 Some Skye men took one to join up with Arabic characters (6)

14 An actor had one day, with very little time to become a despot (8)

17 Turned the heat up, having criticised one strongly (7)

19 Remark on detailed words of praise, at the end (7)

23 On the small side, but had little hesitation to start sailing pleasure-boats (8)

27 In the past, had to take care to spread out (6)

29 See 12 across

30 Did he train up old leading man, lacking nobiliiy? (4-4)

31 One's able to start cutting with a crowbar (6)

32 One entering a factory has to be flexible (6)

33 Passes quietly, and takes someone else's property (6)

34 Had a sniff that one was being transferred. Sounds like it (5)

Down

1 Offer hospitality to a new visitor, initially, with anote(6)

2 At the end, has to rest up. It's in smithereens (8)

3 Although I'm able to move about, I am stationary at the moment (8)

4 Runs aground on the seashore, and is on the ropes (7)

5 Amorous characters mixed with a coterie, lacking energy (6)

6 Having a new girl can cause heartache (6)

7 A former pupil, in short, turned left with the first half of 5 down, at a dance (6)

13 Turn up on right days with measures of ale (5)

15 and 18 A little boy (3-3), and his namesake, joined forces to get a drum (3-3)

16 Leading off, right at the end, decided to get assessed (5)

18 See 15 down

20 Did excavation start with some players, at some stage? (4-4)

21 A friend had time to meet a left-winger when it was important (8)

22 Was an old dramatist sober, on reflection (7)

24 It's time to point to getting tied up in knots (6)

25 An Irish man cut short by a wild thing (6)

26 Was equal at times in various contests (6)

28 May have to get the French to come to a point (6)