Guardian Brummie 27/12

[amalgam]

I've only solved 2 clues so far, 15a and 13d, and am stumped. Any help with the top left corner or bottom right corner would be very welcome. Only a little though, I do like to do it myself if possible, a hint about the theme would also be appreciated.

[Vagrant]

I'm glad I'm not the only one finding this extremely difficult - you've done better than me - I've only got 15 ac so far, and I'm not 100% sure - I think it's exigency.

[rogergeneva]

I have only six answers so far and feel equally stumped. I think the answer to 9a is Virago (" via" + r for river and "go" for energy). And I guess that msu be the theme, but I am still working on it. As to the top ledt - 2d looks like " On a diet"

[amalgam]

Many thanks, both of you, for help and encouragement. Yes, I'm sure 15a is exigency, and "on a diet" is brilliant, I couldn't think of a legislative assembly with only 4 letters!
So do we have to find 7 more "viragoes"? I wonder if amazon is lurking somewhere? Chambers includes that in the definition of virago. BTW, vagrant, 13d is actuarial(rail cut+a for article and a for note.)

[Vagrant]

Virago is also a type of car.
I've now solved another - apparently, there is a type of antelope (a ruminant) called a Dik-Dik!

[lapsapchung]

Virago is also a publisher/publishing imprint so the theme could be linked to that.. Just thinking of 26a, " jacket" - could refer to book jackets.

[rogergeneva]

That's wonderful Vagrant... thank you. I came to Virago also because 6d is "curette" and 7 d is " Pagliacci". Curette is rather sweet and Pagliacci is an anag of Cecilia without an e and gap for space. Nevertheless Brummie seems to have me beat! Keep smiling.

[rogergeneva]

Brilliant lapsapchung.... you've broken it. Publishers....1d is Corgi and 23 d is Orion. Thanks so much.

[amalgam]

Well done, rogergeneva, so it looks as if 6a is copt, tho I can't quite work out the cryptic bit, where does the t come from?

[Vagrant]

corgi is also a type of motorbike - so is Virago, Orion and Bantam (is 12a Bantam?)

[amalgam]

Could 10a be Viking, then?

[rogergeneva]

yes 10a is Viking and 12a Bantam - another publishing group. Though I am fascinated by the motorbikes.

[Vagrant]

17 would appear to be picador - a publishing group, and also a type of motorbike!

[cesdlv]

Well done, all of you! Amalgam, I think the T for COPT comes from the heart (centre) of PAINTINGS.

[idh]

I believe 8a is Orcadian and 11a is Airstrip - although I have to admit I have no idea where the cuckoo comes in to my answer to 8a.

[cesdlv]

cuckoo signals an anagram of AND with the I from ISLAND. Phew, it's easier working out why you lot are right than it is coming up with the answers today.

[Vagrant]

ANI is another name for a type of cuckoo -http://www.4to40.com/encyclopedia/default.asp? category=Birds&dictionary=Cuckoo_Family

[cesdlv]

5d - reversion?

[cesdlv]

19a - NEWBIE (NEWBY without the Y with i.e. for 'that is'.

[rogergeneva]

What a team! I have reversion for 5d tho I am not quite sure why. 4d is VINTAGE - another publisher. Can anyone explain why 18 d might be LUTHIER?

[cesdlv]

1a - CROSSOVER

3d - SWING

4d - VANTAGE (publisher? motorbike?)?