ALISTAIRCOOKE

POETICJUSTICEReward or punishment that may be ironic PRACTICALJOKEFilling a friend's car with balloons, e.g. OLDWIVESTALESFoolish traditions PRIMARYCOLORSThey can be mixed to make orange, green and purple ROLLINTOABALLArrive à la Cinderella? SENSELESSNESSIdiocy SEASONTOTASTESpring roll or summer sausage? GRANNYSQUARESPieces of crocheted fabric that make four-sided shapes ... or a hint to the theme words at 16a, 44a, 7d, and 41d: 2 wds. STEALERSWHEELScottish folk rock band best known for the song Stuck in the Middle with You MADHURJAFFREYIndian actress, food and travel writer and TV personality named a CBE in 2004 PRECIPITATIONRain or snow, say (13) NORTHERNCROSSConstellation that includes Cygnus (the Swan) PRIMEMINISTEROne’s said to be first among equals (5,8) HUGHMCDIARMIDScottish poet whose works include A Drunk Man Looks at the Thistle