Cryptic crossword No 1,924

Thanks Fudgeller, good work getting so many themers in! Faves 5a, 10a, 14a, 20a, 26a, 16d & 22d. Spoilers ...

Thanks Fudgeller. I enjoyed this despite total ignorance of the theme. My top picks were 1a, 14a, 16a, 20a, 27a, 7d, 19d, and 22d. I needed your notes to parse 9a, 15d, and 17d. Overall a fine crossword.

I found this tougher than expected Fudgeller, not to be taken as criticism though. I particularly admired and enjoyed 1a, 14a, 19a, 22a, 27a, 3d, 5d, 16d, 23d among others. A few eyebrow twitches, but I’ll leave it sit for a while before I might think to query anything. Still haven’t spotted the theme though. Thanks for the workout!

I think I've encountered the theme once before - as theme for a crossword iirc! Which is not enough for it to ring a bell although I managed to guess what quite a few of the theme words might be (like 5a, 10a, 16a and 19d). I agree with Fez on some of the awkward link words - though, unlike him, I think your cute device in 16a just about works. Likes inc 5a, 10a, 14a, 22a, 25a, 26a, 4d, 7d, 16d, 22d and 23d. Thanks. PM

Spoiler comment for the theme...