Cryptic crossword No 2,717

Put together very quickly for reasons that will become apparent - please excuse any rough edges, and thanks to Fez for a quick turnaround test 👍

Lots of fun. Very much enjoyed the theme!! Faves were 17d, 22a, 26a. Thanks!

Very nicely done, Henri - that’s impressively quick work! Favourites: 7a, 9a, 20a, 3d (COTD), 8d and 19d

Thanks Henri for an enjoyable crossword with a theme even I could spot. Faves included 6a, 10a, 25a, 1d, 2d, & 3d. Impressive speed!

Hey! Literally just joined this website and I'm already blown away! Very much doubt I'll be able to compete...

Any cryptic would be impressive with that turnaround Henri! Great job as always, loved the definition for 3d and the construction of 15a and 22a

Failed to take a step back and see the theme - should have known given your past form, very nicely done. So many great surfaces and clever definitions it's hard to pick faves, but 9a,10a,15a,18a,30a and 1d,3d,13d

Lovely tribute Henri. Faves 15a, 25a, 22a, 3d. Spoilers....

Great stuff Henri. Fabulous cluing for such a fast turnaround. If I have to pick a podium, then I go for 20a, 29a, 19d but there is a lot of great stuff. Bravo!

The fact that such a grid can be clued so quickly with such quality (e.g., 9a) is amazing. Thanks Henri (and Fez).

Lovely stuff Henri, as commented an impressively speed construction and none the worse for the rapidity. I particularly enjoyed 9a (neat), 10a (nice), 22a (very neat), 3d (likewise) and 23d (neat).

Slow to get to this, Henri, as I have been distracted by other things. I did rather suspect, given the timing, that this would be one of your 24 hour turnaround tributes and so it turned out to be. Plenty of good stuff as per - I did allow myself a grin at the very end of a pretty much numerical order solve (all bar 5d) when I encountered what someone I know might term 'grid fill trauma": 30a, I'm looking at you! Thanks. PM