ACROSS
- 3 The underlying reason is to restrict the beer (9)
- 8 A very tiny part of the anatomy? (4)
- 9 It may be chosen by the maestro as a great opener (6,3)
- 10 Song of a worker on edge (6)
- 11 Test of hearing (5)
- 14 Speak of a VAT band (5)
- 15 Material Alec produced (4)
- 16 Drink with a graduate at a dance (5)
- 18 Observe return to school (4)
- 20 Some histrionics concerning architecture (5)
- 21 Former stage turn was precise (5)
- 24 New oar used to pass slowly (4,2)
- 25 Made progress in the film industry (9)
- 26 Perhaps rues being a consumer (4)
- 27 He has objections, but is in favour of the examiner (9)
DOWN
- 1 Quantity is below par, but still supreme (9)
- 2 How first-class mail should be delivered? (9)
- 4 The first man to be a mother (4)
- 5 Bury after the start of winter (5)
- 6 Usual performance from Marlon (6)
- 7 Classical song said to be advanced (4)
- 9 Part of some terrible measure (5)
- 11 Entice from some vast empty space (5)
- 12 Washerwoman making the French strip off (9)
- 13 Hired soldier is happy about acne clearing up (9)
- 17 Suffered a girl to return (5)
- 19 Formerly cheeky, but highly skilled (6)
- 22 It enables a voter to show he's angry! (5)
- 23 Look for one's equal (4)
- 24 We are short, or used to be (4)