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MITMH2022
Public Access

Solution to La Ronde

Heartford

Answer: KATE NELLIGAN
by Mark Halpin

S T E A M E D D U M P L I N G S
A A E O N L N A
O V E R H A N G F O O D F I S H
E L D M U W O P
S T E G O S A U R U S C R A B
S W L O S
O P U S E S H A I R C O M B S
U U N U E
R E G R E T S G A D G E T R Y
I A L K B V
M O T H E R S S U P E R I O R
O C N A C U
A P E R A T I F W I R E T A P
R R L E E
O B I E A W A R D K I T T E N
T M U E U
G R U B A S T R I N G E N T S
A I P I M G I E
I C E B E R G S P H E A S A N T
T E I T E R I S
A S T R A L O S T I N S P A C E

In this type of variety grid, sometimes called 'Split Ends', clues are formed from two parts from the numbered list of clues, and the resulting answer entered in the space whose number is the sum of the two clues.

Clues that function normally are as follows:

1Works like Mr.56Holland's57OPUSES
4Cape41Angela's country45TUNISIA
6Parties with14Containers of beer20KEGGERS
7Rescues or74Preserves81SAVES
10Vittles or9Larva19GRUB
11Religious16Teaching27DOGMA
17Opening13Flags or sails30UNFURLING
18Derogatory nickname for42An anaesthesiologist60GASPASSER
19Gleason's sitcom47Wife66MEADOWS
23Daughter31To Clytemnestra54ELECTRA
24Remove from one's49Digs73EVICT
25Mechanical33Novelties58GADGETRY
26Titanic43Destroyer and others69ICEBERGS
27Sidestepping45Creature72CRAB
30Dye69Patented in 175899CUTBEAR
34It may be presented under67Glass101PHEASANT
35Follower of 53March88APRIL
36Preprandial5Quaff41APERETIF
38The Louvre15Pyramid creator53I.M. PEI
39James28Galway, etc.67FLAUTISTS
48Like elephant20Seals68EARLESS
52Series with Aries40Spring92ASTRA LOST IN SPACE
55Because54Or subsequently109SINCE
59Festival of75Lots134PURIM
61Downtown theatre2Prize63OBIE AWARD
62Not having46Married108UNWED
64Pakistani50Banknote114RUPEE
66Cemetery58Parcels124PLOTS
68Florida57Footballer125GATOR
70Roof32Lizard, AKA102STEGOSAURUS
72Corn22Coverings94HUSKS
73Zork63Company136INFOCOM

Highlighted grid entries, which may be determined solely from crossing, must have their clue halves modified by changing a letter. Such clue halves are each subject to two changes on the same letters, as each is used in two separate clue pairs. The twice-used clue parts form a chain, as suggested by the pattern of affairs in La Ronde.

AnswerModified Clue 1Modified Clue 2
HAIRCOMBSSome [M]Part [R]
OVERHANGJut [J]Past [S]
PROTRACTSSpins [N]Out [O]
WIRETAPSpies [E]Sensor [S]
MOTHERS SUPERIORSenior [I]Nuns [N]
STEAMED DUMPLINGSProducts like bao [O]Buns [B]
ASTRINGENTSProducts like bay [Y]Rum [M]
REGRETSDoes [E]Rue [E]
KITTENOne might go for laser [S]Dots [T]
IMBIBEROne might go for lager [G]Or chai [I]
FOOD FISHSole [L]Or char [R]

Ordering the changed letters for each clue part in the direction which they chain forms a clue (starting point and direction to be determined by the solver): MRS JONES IN BOY MEETS GIRL, the answer to which is KATE NELLIGAN.