Cryptic crossword No 1,893

Welcome to MyCrossword Bickio and thanks for your contribution to our mutual torturefest. I particularly appreciated 6a, 10a, 11a, 2d, 4d, 7d, 20d, 21d among others, but found the puzzle overall a bit of a mixed bag with quite a few (to me) obscure references (e.g. 1d, 9d, 19a…). Other solvers may comment on some of the finer points. Sometimes it’s a matter of ‘tuning in’ to the setter’s mindset, and I didn’t manage to this time. Keep them coming and I’ll see if I can do it. Thanks again!

Welcome to MyC, Bickio: there are some gems in this debut puzzle as well as a few things that confused me or didn't *quite* work for me. 27a/28a is the stand-out clue for me - a really nice spot. 20a, 26a, 5d, 18d and 21d were my other big ticks. Thanks. PM

Welcome and thanks - an enjoyable puzzle and nice theming. Liked 1a, 15a, 20a, 27a 28a (CotD), 21d and 22d. A few spoilery comments in the reply ->

Have another "welcome" for the pile! Like others, I didn't have all the knowledge necessary to explain my answers (the two I gave up on parsing were the same ones that Henri did), but I didn't feel shortchanged; given how thematically saturated the puzzle is, I can't say I didn't know what I was getting myself in for, and the sheer totality of the theme was impressive. 27a/28a absolutely clinches top spot, while 1a & 5d get the other two spots on my podium. So yeah, thanks for the puzzle!