Listener Crossword 4132 Ups and Downs by Llig

[starwalker]

Well, I seem to be almost at the end of this and have yet to decipher the precise quotation although I think I have the gist. Fastest grid fill for some time, so all the more reason to be careful.

[dr b]

Yes, quite a quick one after last week's brain-buster. Still, a nice idea and I did have to track down a few definitions to be sure of the "modifications."

[Ruthrobin]

Yes indeed, a gentle one after last week's cold-solving, and a nicely symmetrical set of modifications.

[Zabadak]

Nice to have a heavily themed puzzle, even if it does make most of the solving straightforward. Without giving anything away, is there an anniversary of sorts here? I'm not aware of one, and I've been involved one way or another with a lot of the material in the clues.

[Ruthrobin]

Zabadak, check the origin of the quotation! There is an obvious link - if somewhat indirect.

[AHearer]

Nice and straightforward -- some pretty easy clues and not many obscure words. I suspect our noble scrutineer will have a heavier postbag this week.

[silversolver]

Yes, a gentle workout after the trials and tribulations of last week. Some nice and easy clues, a familiar theme and not too much need to dip into the big red book...all led to a pretty quick resolution. Excellent construction - thanks, Llig.

[cluelessJoe]

Probably hard work to construct something so packed with thematic content - but for my taste, it was overdone and resulted in some fairly obvious and unchallenging clues. I'd much rather be subjected to a workout like last week's than be presented with something so obviously pretty yet below par as a puzzle. Sorry Llig, I'm just getting grouchy in my old age - ignore me and take heart in comments elsewhere.

[Zabadak]

Cheers Ruthrobin, I'm well aware of the quotation's origin. Even I was not there when it was first delivered, but I've played my part often enough since. Usually when something is as heavily themes as this, its on a birthday or some other anniversary, and I don't think this one is.

[perseverer]

While trying to avoid being too specific, it is the approximate anniversary in terms of day and month, but not years, of performance and death.

[bellabee]

nicely structured but incredibly straightforward - for some reason i rather liked that.

[Rogue-Elfe]

OK, I have a full grid, but the modifications certainly aren't symmetrical as Ruthrobin points out they should be; I can't see how I've gone wrong, since all the across answers are definately correct. I don't know the original quotation either, but I'll look for it in a moment. You don't need to know it in order to see what's going on. I agree, this is gentle and straightforward. Now I'll turn by attention back to the Magpie (issue 100) for more challenges.

[cluelessJoe]

Mine were not symmetrical either Rogue-Elfe (well, a few of them were but by no means all).

[dr b]

I am pretty sure RR did not mean 'symmetrical', perhaps instead 'nicely illustrating the quotation'?

[Ruthrobin]

Yes, indeed, shall we say 'in equal number doing what the quotation required'. I'll disobey all our rules if I say more.

[tristram37]

Well I was grateful for a straightforward one after last week's stinker. It helped that I recognised the quotation very quickly, and I managed to complete the puzzle before my afternoon cup of tea, which is virtually a record for me. I don't think an easy one now and then does anyone any harm, though obviously some of the real wizards will feel shortchanged. I can now concentrate on a valedictory Mass puzzle in the Crossword magazine,

[AHearer]

And to follow Tristram37 may I recommend http://www.spectator....846588/crossword.pdf?

[tilbee]

A very late start for me due to Fidelio at ROH. Like most the gentleness of this solution was a welcome relief from last week, and with weather promising again for tomorrow, this means I can enjoy the sunshine without unsolved clues rattling through my brain, Like others an enjoyable if not overly taxing puzzle.

[contendo]

Like Tilbee I had a late start & was relieved to find the grid fill unusually easy after last week's nightmare. The theme was enjoyable too. I have one remaining problem in that the wordplay for 34 dn results in only one option for the answer, but I don't understand the definition.

[tenflags]

Hi Contendo,
bit worried about being told off... so trying to be cryptic ... if you understand the quote,
work backwards and look that word up in Chambers and you will see the definition.

[contendo]

Thanks Tenflags. Impeccably discreet. Got it now. I was unfamiliar with the applied modification.