Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31367
A full review by Rahmat Ali
+ – + – + – + – + – + – + – +
This puzzle was published on 10th October 2026
BD Rating – Difficulty ** – Enjoyment ****
Greetings from Kolkata. A nice, interesting Saturday puzzle from Chris Lancaster that I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a review of the same for your kind perusal and significant feedback.
This time, I was eager to know more about a contortionist, the answer to the clue at 12 Across. So, after completing the puzzle, I explored the internet and acquired a good deal of information about this fascinating person. A contortionist is a highly skilled performer who can bend, twist and stretch their body into unusual positions that appear almost impossible to achieve. Contortion is an ancient performing art that requires exceptional flexibility, strength, balance and control over the muscles and joints. Contortionists are often seen in circuses, variety shows, cabaret performances and other forms of live entertainment. Some perform astonishing feats by bending backwards until their heads nearly touch their feet, folding their bodies into remarkably small spaces or twisting their limbs into seemingly unnatural positions. Others combine their flexibility with acrobatics, dance or hand-balancing to create graceful and visually striking performances. Becoming a proficient contortionist requires years of disciplined training, beginning with carefully controlled stretching exercises and gradually progressing to more demanding movements. Proper technique, patience and consistency are essential, as forcing the body beyond its natural limits can cause serious injuries. Professional performers usually work under the guidance of experienced coaches who help them develop flexibility while maintaining strength and stability. Although some people are naturally more flexible than others, natural ability alone is not sufficient to master this demanding art. Contortionists must also possess concentration, body awareness and considerable mental discipline. Their performances often leave audiences amazed because the human body appears to defy its ordinary physical limitations. Contortion has also become popular in contemporary dance, theatrical productions and television talent shows, where performers demonstrate their extraordinary abilities before large audiences. Despite its spectacular appearance, contortion is not merely a display of unusual bodily movements; it is an art form that combines athleticism, precision, creativity and graceful expression. A successful contortionist therefore deserves recognition not only for remarkable flexibility but also for the dedication and perseverance required to achieve such mastery.
Please leave a comment telling us what you thought.
Across
1a Something to eat? Make ultimately tasty bite (6,4)
BRANDY SNAP: The definition of a crisp sweet biscuit, rolled into a cylinder after baking and often filled with a whipped cream is reached from BRAND (make) as a verb meaning to make a permanent impression on followed by the ultimate or last letter (ultimately) of [TAST]Y and SNAP (bite) as a bite
6a Something to look through belonging to Mr Goodman? (4)
LENS: The definition of a piece of glass or other transparent material used in spectacles or cameras to help correct vision is obtained from LEN’S (belonging to Mr Goodman) as of or belonging to Len, or more specifically, to Mr Len Goodman, the celebrated professional ballroom dancer who was the long-time head judge of the British television dance show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and American television dance show ‘Dancing with the Stars’
9a First of all very ill, really unwell, sick with this? (5))
VIRUS: Each of the first or initial letters (first of all) of V[ERY] I[LL,] R[EALLY] U[NWELL,] S[ICK] guides to the definition of any of various submicroscopic agents that infect living organisms, often causing disease, and that consist of a single or double strand of RNA or DNA surrounded by a protein coat
10a Swear as sheep and lamb going astray (9)
BLASPHEME: The definition of a verb meaning to swear, curse or use profane or obscene language is fetched from an anagram (going astray) of a combination of SHEEP and LAMB from the clue
12a Source of entertainment supply? (13)
CONTORTIONIST: A cryptic definition of a gymnast, an acrobat or a person who provides entertainment to others by practising contorted or twisted postures or performing with extraordinary flexibility, suppleness and grace
14a Ate birds – and others! (8)
BITTERNS: A charade of BIT (ate) as a verb in the past tense denoting bit, corroded or consumed gradually, as by chemical reaction or friction and TERNS (birds) as referring to the plural of a seabird primarily of the genus Sterna found worldwide, typically smaller than a gull and having a forked tail leads to the definition of small, compact, tawny-brown nocturnal herons of the genera Botaurus and Ixobrychus, inhabiting reedy marshes and known for their booming cries
15a Way of speaking in Oxford, perhaps (6)
BROGUE: Double definition; the second denoting a durable, comfortable low-heeled shoe, usually with ornamental perforations or wingtips, an example of which is an Oxford shoe i.e. a stout low-heeled lace-up shoe that guides to the first referring to a marked regional dialect or accent, especially a way of speaking English and particularly associated with Irish or Scottish speakers
17a Bad result for province (6)
ULSTER: An anagram (bad) of RESULT guides to the definition of one of the four historical provinces of Ireland, located in the northern part of the island
19a The compiler, a more confident ruler? (8)
MEASURER: ME (the compiler) as the compiler of this puzzle referring to themselves followed by A from the clue and SURER (more confident) as the comparative form of the adjective denoting more confident, certain or positive takes to the definition of a device used for measuring, an example of which is a ruler i.e. a strip of wood, metal or plastic with a straight edge, usually marked off in inches and centimetres, and used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
21a Dismay about men initially fleeing huge country (13)
CONSTERNATION: The definition of a noun meaning dismay or a sudden, alarming amazement or dread that results in utter confusion is reached from C (about) as the abbreviation for the Latin word circa meaning ‘about’ or ‘around’ followed by [M]ONSTER (huge) as an adjective denoting huge, giant or extraordinary size and power from which the initial or first letter (initially) of M[EN] is going out or leaving (fleeing) and NATION (country) as a country together with its social and political structures
24a Drill team working machine for exercise (9)
TREADMILL: An anagram (working) of DRILL TEAM leads to the definition of an exercise machine that consists of a continuous moving belt on which to walk or jog without moving forward from one’s position
25a Saw something of Mossad agent (5)
ADAGE: The definition of a proverb, wise saying or traditional maxim or saw is arrived at from part of or hidden inside (something of) [MOSS]AD AGE[NT]
26a Slough building (4)
SHED: Double definition; the second referring to a simple roofed structure or building and especially used for storing or shelter that guides to the first a verb meaning to slough, exuviate or cast off by a natural process
27a RIP Yank and old Queen – it might make one cry (10)
TEARJERKER: A charade of TEAR (RIP) as to rip, rend or split, JERK (Yank) as a yank or a sudden motion, such as a vigorous pull and ER (old Queen) as the abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina, the name taken on by Queen Elizabeth upon ascending the throne, the word ‘regina’ being the Latin name for ‘queen’ takes to the definition of a sentimental story, play, movie or the like, designed to elicit tears i.e. to make one cry
Down
1d Drink and remain very empty (4)
BEVY: The definition of a colloquial term for an alcoholic drink is arrived at from BE (remain) as a verb meaning to remain or stay in a certain state undisturbed or untouched followed by V[ER]Y that is emptied out with the removal of its inner letters (empty)
2d Cook most of tropical fruit (7)
APRICOT: An anagram (cook) of most of the letters (most) of TROPICA[L] leads to the definition of a round, yellowish-orange fruit, resembling a small peach, of a rosaceous tree, Prunus armeniaca, native to Asia
3d Just dessert in diet, strangely (13)
DISINTERESTED: The definition of an adjective meaning just, impartial or free from bias or judgment is obtained from an anagram (strangely) of DESSERT IN DIET
4d One might be served bean soup that’s off (8)
SUBPOENA: The definition of a writ or a formal written order that is served to a person to appear before a court or other legal proceedings is arrived at from an anagram (that’s off) of BEAN SOUP
5d A bit distant (5)
APART: A from the clue followed by PART (bit) as bit, portion or an amount less than the whole guides to the definition of an adverb denoting distant or away from each other
7d Smoothing things out late in the day (7)
EVENING: Double definition; the second being a noun denoting the period of time at the end of the day that takes to the first a verb in the continuous form meaning smoothing things out or making even or level of something
8d Wee ducks? (10)
SWEETHEART: The position indicator of WEE in SWEET as sitting right in the middle or HEART of it i.e. WEE is the HEART of SWEET, or precisely, SWEETHEART cryptically leads to the definition of a colloquial term for endearment used when addressing someone affectionately, an example of which, like duck or ducky, is ducks denoting a beloved person, dear or sweetheart and used with a singular verb e.g. Where is my ducks going?
11d Spectator upset with rain delay (13)
PROCRASTINATE: An anagram (upset) of a combination of SPECTATOR and (with) RAIN takes to the definition of a verb meaning to delay, defer or put off an action till another day or time
13d Hides causes of BT failing (10)
OBFUSCATES: The definition of a verb in the present tense third person singular form meaning disguises, screens, conceals or hides is arrived at from an anagram (failing) of CAUSES OF BT
16d On back, on back in shop? (8)
RETAILER: RE (on) as a commercial jargon used to indicate ‘on’, ‘about’ or ‘regarding’ followed by TAIL (back) as the back end or the hindmost part of an animal and another RE (on) as a commercial jargon used to indicate ‘on’, ‘about’ or ‘regarding’ coming from the other side (back) as a reversal in the across clue guides to the definition of a small, owner-operated local shop that sells goods to the public
18d Seeing that religious education’s true (7)
SINCERE: A charade of SINCE (seeing that) as a conjunction meaning seeing that or because and RE (religious education) as the abbreviation for religious education takes to the definition of an adjective denoting true, genuine or devoid of any hypocrisy or pretence
20d Conducted bag search (7)
RANSACK: A charade of RAN (conducted) as a verb in the past tense denoting conducted, managed or operated and SACK (bag) as a bag, especially one made of strong material for holding grain or objects in bulk leads to the definition of a verb meaning to search through something thoroughly and often roughly
22d Bring up notes for broadcast (5)
RAISE: The definition of a verb meaning to bring up, rear or serve in the capacity of parent to is got from a homophone heard by the audience (for broadcast) or RAYS (notes) as the second notes in the tonic sol-fa scale i.e. the plural form of the singular term RE or RAY
23d Stand naked, we hear (4)
BEAR: The definition of a verb meaning to stand, endure or support the burden of something distressing, irksome or painful is reached from a homophone heard by the audience (we hear) of BARE (naked) as naked, nude or without covering or clothing
There were several clues that I liked in this puzzle such as 1a, 10a, 12a, 14a, 15a, 19a, 21a, 27a, 4d, 8d, 11d, 13d and 20d; 7d being the clear winner. My prayers to the Almighty for the eternal rest and peace of BD and my thanks to Chris Lancaster for the entertainment. Looking forward to seeing you here again. Have a nice day.