Cryptic crossword No 1,257

For breckid solvers, old and gane, Lie flecksome spoilers down below. Shad your eyes from glancing fain! Lest puzzish theme its beauty show...

Thanks tpg, lovely stuff. I feared from the SI that some *very* obscure words might be included (and wondered how they might be defined) but all very cleverly woven in. Favourites include 8a (possibly needs a question mark?), 25a, 1d, 6d, 13d, 17d & 30d. Spoilers ...

21a, 33a, 3d, 20d, 27d, 28d and 30d are all bangers! Top setting thepoisonedgift!

Brilliantly done tpg. Like Fez, I solved the SI but didn’t fully appreciate what was going on until I read your comment. Despite a few obscurities I thought this was mostly gift although I did need a couple of reveals at the end. Favourites: 8a (superb, COTD), 18a, 21a, 20d, 26d, 27d and 30d (great spot).

Well, that was fun! Great, cunning use of the theme. I hope it was as enjoyable to set as I found it was to solve. My top 3 clues: 15A, 22A, 30D. Thanks, tpg!

Great stuff — I got the SI but not the extent of it until I saw your notes so bravo 👏 Podium: 8a, 21a and 6d (i love that trick 😁) A few little challenges in the Reply —>

Excellent crossword. You must have had great fun designing the grid. Nicely clued too, with accessible clues for the obscure words Thanks.

Very clever construction, tpg. Well done on the grid in particular. A fittingly obscure treatment for the subject. Faves inc 25a, 31a, 3d, 4d, 28d and 30d. Thanks. PM