Solving time, 17 mins.
* = anagram < = reversed
ACROSS
1 TAROT CARDS (Trad actors)*
8 S (TICK) UM New word to me that I worked out from the clear wordplay – it’s in Concise OED. Definition: glue
9 T(REV)OR
10 E (end of the = last letter) QUIP
11 READY MAD E (Dread Amy)* e = ecstasy (drug)
12 UNDER LING
15 MARC(hers)
17 URGE hidden
19 D IS COURSE
22 L (1 P-R) EADER Excellent definition “not a natural listener”
24 OP TIC Seen behind the bar
25 DEPO (R) T
26 POSTER N
27 PRO (i.e. professional) SCRIBES Good
DOWN
1 TAKE PART i.e. and leave the rest (balance)
2 REMARRIED Cryptic definition
3 TETRA hidden
4 AYE-AYE
5 D (IO) RAMA
6 A S PER US(U)AL U = university reading = perusal Crossword convention allows the false capital (in Reading)
7 L I QUID Solvent = liquid
12 EX CRESCENT My last answer
14 GASTROPUB (as top grub)*
16 CO (LOSS) US (in) in = home
18 GAP YEAR (repay a g)*
20 RAT HER tar<
21 DEMONS hIdden