Ahhh — another circular puzzle. And a new setter (unless the architect of the Acropolis has invented a time machine). But In Memoriam of what?
The preamble necessarily gives us quite a few instructions – how to handle each ring and the radials and so on, and that we will find an ‘occasion’, a ‘work’ and a clue to another (title to be written in the centre – remember!).
Our heart sinks a bit when we read that some of the radials are cycled as well as running in and out: not such a problem as it turned out, and it will have eased the construction (and of course QXW will do the cycling for you very proficiently).
Nevertheless it was enough to mean that we started with the plainly entered rings to get our bearings, and these proved very straightforward. Thankfully we remembered that EGMA was “Costard’s attempt at enigma in Shakespeare’s Love’s Labours Lost” for 29: ‘Recalled time having millions engaged in Shakespearean mystery (4) but it was probably a tricky opener for those who didn’t. Two ring clues left us intuitively sure of the answers, even without the crossers, but not of the wordplay
30 ‘Scratch score in Perth from deserved reward (4)’ for MEED
33 ‘Indian vessel, the first to be auctioned (4)’ for LOTA
The penny dropped for the second as we typed this up (‘LOT A’ [B, C]) but the first awaits enlightenment.
Then on to the radials and thankfully the hidden hELEN Chadwick in 1 got us off to a good start again, and we filled in the first dozen or so straight off. At that point it was time to come up for air and look at the emerging messages.
SESQUI in ring was going to be SESQUICENTENARY (150th anniversary probably of someone). SABRETOOTH was emerging in ring 4,and HICSYMP had to lead towards a composer. And so it was that we learned of the existence of HAVERGAL BRIAN b. 29 Jan 1876 who wrote a monumental GOTHIC SYMPHONY, an opera called THE TIGERS (SUMATRAN and SIBERIAN completed the set) and a symphonic poem IN MEMORIAM, to neatly bring the title in from the cold.
Needless to say, with all those written in, the rest of the grid-fill was a breeze and our cycling fears were unfounded. The construction was neat and helpful in fact, with only one ring given over to single letters and just the right amount of thematic material too.
Decent clues too with only “acer” as the definition for 12 HENMAN raising an eyebrow – but a smile as well, and “lacking support” for 22 ASTELY (which is ASTELIC) slipping past the editors somehow.
We do of course have to carefully examine new colleagues to see whether they are candidates for the Listener Oenophile Club, and are pleased to report that Phidias passes with flying colours with not only “drinks” in 28 but TOASTS in 28 and “cheers” in 7, so Cheers indeed and welcome to our company. Come again soon!