Guardian Cryptic 30,123

by Brummie · Monday 28 September 2026

Brummie starts the week with lots of charades, short pieces snapped together, plus a handful of anagrams. 11 across is a gloriously old-fashioned word, and 8 down has a fairy-tale twist. A friendly Monday, and a good one for learning how the pieces fit.

• 1 Across: Plight of conflicted Republican heads leading double lives (6)
• 5 Across: Pitiful account of boss turned politician (3,5)
• 9 Across: Sponge’s loose weight (8)
• 10 Across: Dick playing lute to break silence (6)
• 11 Across: Applying mascara isn’t a protection against greasy hair (12)
• 13 Across: Rocket salad starter with re-processed food (4)
• 14 Across: Never underestimate Middle Eastern leaders with lively ability to put two and two together (8)
• 17 Across: City’s very bitter new agents? (8)
• 18 Across: Team leader changed, became mature (4)
• 20 Across: A British duty to spread nudity (8,4)
• 23 Across: Part of company that’s failing (6)
• 24 Across: Privy you once dumped in river? (8)
• 25 Across: Apartment charge for potential item of furniture? (8)
• 26 Across: Dance figure is switched between two parties (2-2-2)
• 2 Down: Excellent red for the diner? (4)
• 3 Down: Somewhat over-tasked, add lead to make tracks (9)
• 4 Down: Superior toys on high (6)
• 5 Down: White Cliffs of Dover composition – morris dance yet to be arranged by Kay (11,4)
• 6 Down: Wretched, mannered start of assault on Everest? (4,4)
• 7 Down: Not opening, force lock (5)
• 8 Down: The Pied Piper of abstract art – baseball player? (3-7)
• 12 Down: Intermittent sort of casino in Ohio state (10)
• 15 Down: Just a blend of proper English and ordinary American (9)
• 16 Down: Uplifted, set sights on getting one around a scholarly environment (8)
• 19 Down: Was a fish factory worker disappointed? (6)
• 21 Down: Soil: it isn’t common (5)
• 22 Down: In-house detective was a druggie (4)