the crossword

CRYPTIC CLUES ACROSS

1 Theatre directors? (10) 8 Not intended to violate (5) 9 Bound to be against punishment (7) 10 Sound your horn with regret; that’s a fact! (3,4) 11 One-man woman (5) 12 Make an appointment about four in case (6) 14 The man goes out in the country air (6) 17 Snake seen in summer? (5) 19 Simon is upset by this job (7) 21 The pictures added skill to the author’s material (7) 22 Speeds back in these cars (5) 23 Share out is tried but as an alternative (10)

DOWN

2 Porter takes in work despite order to go on striking (4,3) 3 Keen to mature without hesitation (5) 4 He attacks the copper with acid (6) 5 One isn’t put out by it but it’s a strain (7) 6 She goes round in a radiant glow (5) 7 Settles but I need terms renegotiated (10) 8 Taking money out for retirement (10) 13 More than one kind of saviour (7) 15 A reduction in capital cover (7) 16 The object of his match is a draw (6) 18 A bit past it but still invited out (5) 20 Brush and clean thoroughly (5)

QUICK CLUES ACROSS

1 Fondness for sugary foods (5,5) 8 Proficient (5) 9 Sound of knocking on door (3-1-3) 10 Norse pirates (7) 11 Bottomless gulf (5) 12 Lessen (6) 14 To moderate (6) 17 Of birds (5) 19 Flowery compliment (7) 21 Style of cooking (7) 22 Rubbish (5) 23 Inveterate (4-6)

DOWN

2 Completely ruined (7) 3 Consumed (5) 4 Push with force (6) 5 Confront unflinchingly (7) 6 With passionate feeling (5) 7 In one continuous period (2,1,7) 8 Conflicting (2,8) 13 Imprison (7) 15 Bird’s feathers (7) 16 Preoccupy (6) 18 Homer’s Trojan War poem (5) 20 Favouring extreme views (5)

PUZZLE 14998