Cryptic crossword No 2,351

It's my 77th puzzle on MyCrossword, so appropriately themed. Hint in reply ...

Impressive theming Fez, especially hiding the small words (to, the, ...) unambiguously is no mean feat. I wasn't familiar with the theme but wikipedia came to my aid once I'd completed one set of 5, and I then identified all the thematic answers (several providing help with ones I was stuck on). You gave longer clues than I'm used to - partly a result of fitting the thematic phrases in? - but once I parsed them they all seemed fair. My only criticism: some surfaces don't quite work. Thanks!

I have to admit SI + extra words always make me want to sob but I vigorously salute the bold theme and fill here. Bravo. Much to admire, including 11a, 26a, 6d and 8d. Very Fez! Here’s to your next 77. Ta lots.

Thanks Fez for quite an accomplishment. I can't imagine the complexity of setting such a crossword. I liked clues such as 7d, 18d, and 29d but overall the complexity of the surfaces made a good bit of this out of my range. More in reply.

Very, very Fezzy 😆 but a penny-drop partway through opened up the theme beautifully. Liked 1a, 11a, 2d, 4d, 8d. Thanks!

Needed a little help over the line, thanks Fez! Brilliant theming the star of the show. And 2d can have COTD for the surface - thought I was in an ALP puzzle briefly 🤣. Spoilers …

Blimey, that was hard work. Extremely Fezzy. One or two monster clues - 14 words! Beaten in the very end by the combo of 25d and 25a. Agree with Coot on a) the grid is the star and b) 2d is COTD. Thanks. PM

This was fun and a real challenge. I filled the grid, but only with help from the very cool theme. Your very twisty wordplay in several left me scratching my head -- I'm still learning how your brain works! Some more possible spoilery thoughts follow ...