Comments on: Independent 7829/Phi

By: ele

ele — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:21:07 +0000

Ballet aside, I found this more difficult than usual for Phi, but satisfying once I’d done it. Although I’m no ballet fan either, the ballet names were reasonably familiar (from the music mainly) and they did help me start filling up the grid once the penny dropped. Just put the last clue in now – 3d (I haven’t been staring at it for the whole evening BTW). Thanks to John for the blog.

By: flashling

flashling — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:17:28 +0000

Thanks john this just beat me not being a ballet man I missed 10ac. Still as has been said before the indy does try to cater for all. At least you had no cocked up clues to deal with today. Eimi I didn’t mean it you normally do a fantastic job, we all have off days.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:44:07 +0000

Thank you, John.

This one got the better of me today – not helped by having to have two goes at it. If I don’t finish a puzzle over morning coffee then my crossword brain (such as it is) seems to switch off in the afternoons and evenings. The theme was one I know little about, but as you say, a good range of specialities in the Indy usually.

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:24:52 +0000

Should be a comma to make my first line read: Having got 8a as first in, the other “8″ references….

By: Allan_C

Allan_C — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:23:00 +0000

Having got 8a as first in the other “8″ references were mostly straightforward with the notable exception of 10a, of which I doubt few have heard, or even heard of the composer, Minkus.

14a, THE RITE OF SPRING, is the ballet by Stravinsky which reputedly caused a riot at its first performance in 1913 – see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Rite_of_Spring

FLEADH was new to me; I had to get it by trial and error then confirmed it by googling which led me to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleadh_Cheoil

All in all a nicely themed offering from Phi, but needing a little more effort than some.

By: crypticsue

crypticsue — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:39:01 +0000

I took ages to get going on this one, I couldn’t for the life of me see what the 8 was until I got 26a and the penny dropped. Thanks to Phi and John

By: UncleAda

UncleAda — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 11:31:07 +0000

17 dn – Russell Brand is Katy Perry’s husband…