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A Funny thing happened on the way to the Forum, Stephen Sondheim, was contacted and asked if he would organize the Apolyton Crossword Championship Convention. He readily agreed:
’I like to be in Apolyton! Okay by me in Apolyton! Everything free in Apolyton For a
small fee in Apolyton’
Stephen outlined how the championship worked and the convention schedule.
Briefly, solvers tackle original crosswords created and edited specially for the event. Scoring is based on accuracy and speed. The lowest scoring contestant drops out after each day’s competition, until the grand final
Day 1:The programme was 7.00pm Limber up your brain — and meet the contestants and judges — in an evening of games and entertainments. Special event: "Time Capsule" - light hearted puzzle games. 10.00pm. Wine and cheese reception.
Day 2: Tournament sign-in 11:00pm Puzzles, 7:00pm Special screening: "'Repartee' (8) Outtakes.
Days 3 etc to be advised.
So there was Stephen glad handling the arrivals: Noel Jessop, Australia's most prolific crossword setter, had just flown in from Sydney. ‘Greetings from Oz , ‘ said Noel, sounding flighty (4). ‘We spell it Crozword btw’.
‘You’re the first Noel’, said Stephen ’You are very welcome’.
On the same flight with Noel was David Stickley, one of the leading lights of the Australian crozworld fraternity. ‘Greetings, who r u’ said David confused (3,3,3,)
‘When you're a Jet, You're a Jet all the way’ Stephen answered and guided both to reception.
Next to arrive was Berit Veiset. ‘God Monger people verbally abuse me in Norway’ said Berit introducing himself. (3,6) and then went to his room.
‘May I introduce myself’ said Manny Nosowsky , jokingly with a polished smile (2,4) and he did. ‘Do you know we have 32 letters in our alphabet.
‘Seven of them have two or more variations’ piped up Timothy Parker ‘ and I should know, I am "World's Most Syndicated Puzzle Compiler. ‘Greetings’ he called from high on the stairs.(2)
Don’t forget, said Stephen, there is no real competition tonight. ‘Tonight, tonight
Won't be just any night, Tonight there will be no morning star’.
Just then A.N Prahlada Rao arrived and brought together both palms of his hands, and lightly bowed his head. ‘It’s meant as a greeting from India’, he said.(7).
‘Hello’, said Mark Kelmanson, ‘is almost a palindrome in Denmark’ (6). ‘Ok Ok just Monkeying around’.
Just then Ellen Ripstein appeared. ‘Peace’ she said, with an aura of majesty, in her element not unlike a Samaritan (6).
Craig Kasper arrived at the same time as Ellen. ‘How are you, I am just back from a vacation in France’ (2,2). ‘I am so looking forward to the convention’ and swept upstairs.
One of two English competitors was John Graham ‘Greetings’ he said ‘Its doing God’ work ( 4, 7). That’s why I am here. I like long anagrams. ‘You do why? ’said Fred Piscop, awkwardly (5) as he joined him at reception.
At the desk they were greeted byJon Delfin a big convention winner seven times over. ‘ How do you do it’ they asked ‘It isn’t that odd’ he replied (3,2,3,2).
Trip Payne was a bit tired. ‘Fifth Floor’ he said by way of welcome, as he headed to the elevator (4,4).
‘At least the snow’s gone’ he added ‘ Yeah thawing happens’ acknowledged Merle Reagle strangely, (5,9) leaving the elevator lobby to meet up with up fellow competitor Will Shortz
There was no bigger man in the world of American Crosswords than Will Shortz. ‘Yeah Icy rain’ sang out Will (4).
Stephen Sondheim met them and sang
‘ Mafia, I've just met a person named Mafia,
and suddenly the name will never be the same to me.
Mafia! ‘
‘Surely you mean Maria’ said Will Shortz. No said Stephen ‘ that’s another story’, as he went to check arrangements for the evening.
’I like to be in Apolyton! Okay by me in Apolyton! Everything free in Apolyton For a
small fee in Apolyton’
Stephen outlined how the championship worked and the convention schedule.
Briefly, solvers tackle original crosswords created and edited specially for the event. Scoring is based on accuracy and speed. The lowest scoring contestant drops out after each day’s competition, until the grand final
Day 1:The programme was 7.00pm Limber up your brain — and meet the contestants and judges — in an evening of games and entertainments. Special event: "Time Capsule" - light hearted puzzle games. 10.00pm. Wine and cheese reception.
Day 2: Tournament sign-in 11:00pm Puzzles, 7:00pm Special screening: "'Repartee' (8) Outtakes.
Days 3 etc to be advised.
So there was Stephen glad handling the arrivals: Noel Jessop, Australia's most prolific crossword setter, had just flown in from Sydney. ‘Greetings from Oz , ‘ said Noel, sounding flighty (4). ‘We spell it Crozword btw’.
‘You’re the first Noel’, said Stephen ’You are very welcome’.
On the same flight with Noel was David Stickley, one of the leading lights of the Australian crozworld fraternity. ‘Greetings, who r u’ said David confused (3,3,3,)
‘When you're a Jet, You're a Jet all the way’ Stephen answered and guided both to reception.
Next to arrive was Berit Veiset. ‘God Monger people verbally abuse me in Norway’ said Berit introducing himself. (3,6) and then went to his room.
‘May I introduce myself’ said Manny Nosowsky , jokingly with a polished smile (2,4) and he did. ‘Do you know we have 32 letters in our alphabet.
‘Seven of them have two or more variations’ piped up Timothy Parker ‘ and I should know, I am "World's Most Syndicated Puzzle Compiler. ‘Greetings’ he called from high on the stairs.(2)
Don’t forget, said Stephen, there is no real competition tonight. ‘Tonight, tonight
Won't be just any night, Tonight there will be no morning star’.
Just then A.N Prahlada Rao arrived and brought together both palms of his hands, and lightly bowed his head. ‘It’s meant as a greeting from India’, he said.(7).
‘Hello’, said Mark Kelmanson, ‘is almost a palindrome in Denmark’ (6). ‘Ok Ok just Monkeying around’.
Just then Ellen Ripstein appeared. ‘Peace’ she said, with an aura of majesty, in her element not unlike a Samaritan (6).
Craig Kasper arrived at the same time as Ellen. ‘How are you, I am just back from a vacation in France’ (2,2). ‘I am so looking forward to the convention’ and swept upstairs.
One of two English competitors was John Graham ‘Greetings’ he said ‘Its doing God’ work ( 4, 7). That’s why I am here. I like long anagrams. ‘You do why? ’said Fred Piscop, awkwardly (5) as he joined him at reception.
At the desk they were greeted byJon Delfin a big convention winner seven times over. ‘ How do you do it’ they asked ‘It isn’t that odd’ he replied (3,2,3,2).
Trip Payne was a bit tired. ‘Fifth Floor’ he said by way of welcome, as he headed to the elevator (4,4).
‘At least the snow’s gone’ he added ‘ Yeah thawing happens’ acknowledged Merle Reagle strangely, (5,9) leaving the elevator lobby to meet up with up fellow competitor Will Shortz
There was no bigger man in the world of American Crosswords than Will Shortz. ‘Yeah Icy rain’ sang out Will (4).
Stephen Sondheim met them and sang
‘ Mafia, I've just met a person named Mafia,
and suddenly the name will never be the same to me.
Mafia! ‘
‘Surely you mean Maria’ said Will Shortz. No said Stephen ‘ that’s another story’, as he went to check arrangements for the evening.
Is Will9 Will Shortz?
I'm Berit in the text and Bert in the list.
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