Spectator 2072

[djawhufc]

Good morning all

An email should be with you all.

Good luck

DJA

[smithies]

Thank you DJA

[smithies]

Thank you DJA

[maurice]

Thank you again, DJA!

[mathsman]

Completely bewildered by 1 down; I cannot find anything to fit and match possible answers to 9 across. The theme is OK as is the highlighting, but... Any HINTS please?

[kayakamina]

Oasis is a fertile spot.

[roslyn251254]

oasis is the fertile place - change the i ....

For 9a I have the girl from the Sound of Music

[mathsman]

Thanks, folks - misread the clue.

[bakajiji]

Thank you very much, DJA!

[flobbo]

I am having trouble with unclued 22d. I have ??BE??A.
Any hint gratefully received.

[maurice]

Think Rossellini!

[barryjbutler]

A late thanks from me too Daniel. At least a "thanks" in this column keeps your inbox a bit lighter! Finished this without too much trouble but it was a nice theme. Keep up the good work...

[novalis]

Thanks DJA. Much appreciated.

[whatsthat]

For 20a (Boundless thespians playing at the same stage), a typical Dumpynose anagram, I have a two-word answer that fits, or hyphenated according to my OED. Is it really one word?

[kayakamina]

Chambers gives it as one word.

[whatsthat]

Thanks K. Must get a Chambers.

[turast]

To get the full picture, don't forget to look up the title of the puzzle.