Cryptic crossword No 1,720

The last few clues of this were written on stream at twitch.tv/juffo__wup. Thanks to ProbablyApocryphal, Deanderthal, JMBrow, and Catnip for pitching ideas from chat during that. Also thanks to Skald and StJtB for testing. Spoiler commments in reply.

Had a tricky time with this one, with the unfamiliars beating me at the 19a/17d crossing. But loads I enjoyed, especially the virtuosic 27 and the near 3. I'm interested in the novel (to me) homophone devices elsewhere. Glad to see the innovation!

Thanks Juff, lots to enjoy here, my faves were 10a, 18a, 20a, 3d, 5d & 20d. Spoilers ...

I struggled with this, juff. Too many phrasings I did not recognise, usages with which I was not familiar and simply words and/or abbreviations I didn't know. Throw in some unfamiliar devices and some highly creative treatments and it was too difficult for me to find my way through. I got a grid half way filled, began using check button, then began revealing and then turned to your notes. So you can consider me well and truly beaten. Thanks. PM

Thanks for the puzzle juff. It seems as if my experience was very similar to PM’s; had to throw in the towel with about half the grid complete. Admirable ingenuity, though. Particularly liked 20a, 27a, 5d (!), 15d, 20d and 25d.