Times Jumbo 903

[LottieAnne]

I just can't get started on this one. Is it exceptionally difficult or am I being stupid? Any help much appreciated.
13ac published in Greece by Draco,brutal playwright (6,2,8) No letters yet
55ac Novel city in painting among the arbours (10,6) Third letter of first word is e
4d M-Mendelssohn, adding a variation, penning grand old song (3,4,3,10)
15d Poem called "Mesmeric" as an alternative (2,5,4,4,5) 4th word starts with S.

[Oldred]

4d Mad dogs and Englishmen

[Twirls]

I have the following:

13A - Cyrano De Bergerac
55A - Barchester Towers
4D - Mad Dogs and Englishmen

15D - completely lacking inspiration so help would be very welcome!

[Nical]

13 A. Cyrano de Bergerac
55 A. Barchester Towers
15 D. La Belle Dame Sans Merci

[Twirls]

Have you got 34D? I've got the first word starting with P_A - 7 and 4

[Nical]

My paper's in the recycling - but I think there was an answer 'playing card'

[LottieAnne]

Thank you very much. I will let you know if I get 15d

[Nical]

The answer to 15 D appears earlier in this thread!

[Twirls]

Thanks Nical

Does anyone have 9A - 6 letters : Paper, through revolutionary clue, distressed girl

[safflower]

9a damsel - ms in lead (clue)

[Twirls]

Thanks Safflower

[johnsmemory]

Also having probs with top right hand.

Could do with 10, 11 and 12 ac to get me going

Thanks

[lapsapchung]

I'm really struggling with this one - must start doing crosswords all year instead of just at Christmas, I get rusty (quick wave to everyone I've not spoken to for 12 months) but 10, 11 and 12 d are ones I CAN herlp with.

10. ABOLISH ( I LOB rev, in ASH)
11. SIMPATICO ( IMP, A TIC in SO)
12. LITTERATEUR (got that one after a couple of glasses of wine and can't for the life of me see how I did it now)

Jane

[lapsapchung]

I've just got the top left hand corner to complete now: I could probably manage it if I could get 1a and 1d.
1a. Into stack, 'eaves wad of cash (4,3) _ _ _ _/_ _ M
1d soldier in loch prey, perhaps, for monster (11) _ _ C _ _ _ _ _ O _ E

[roslyn251254]

1d lycanthrope

[roslyn251254]

1a lump sum

[lapsapchung]

Thanks very much, I think I'd have found 1a easier if I hadn't mixed my Spanish men up with my Italian ones!