27th May 2026
Tony Long, an expert in solving cryptic crosswords for over 50 years, is appearing at The Players Theatre in Thame on Saturday 6th June to talk about Cracking Cryptics: An Easy Guide to Solving Cryptic Crosswords.
Whether you’re a novice or a more experienced solver, Tony’s amusing illustrated talk on how to master cryptic crosswords will help you become more confident and more proficient at solving these fiendish puzzles!
During the talk, Tony will provide a step-by-step analysis of every type of clue as well as tips on how to tackle any puzzle. He will talk about the ten principal types of clue encountered and his three golden rules for solving them. The types of clue range from anagrams, such as “carthorse / orchestra” where the letters in a word or phrase are re-arranged, to homophones, such as “great / grate” where words sound the same but have different spellings and meanings. Tony will provide plenty of clues for the audience to solve during the evening.
Tony says, “With cryptic crosswords, you never take a clue at face value. There is usually only one possible answer to a cryptic clue, and the trick is finding the right way to read the clue that leads to the solution”.
Solving cryptic crosswords brings a wealth of benefits. They are fun, they keep the mind active, and they offer a truly rewarding experience to complete. Anyone can be a good cruciverbalist (crossword solver) – whatever your walk of life. It is simply a question of applying the required analytical and critical thinking skills to see a pattern, a hint, or some clear indication of what needs to be done, using the language given and playing around with the clue to get to the hidden solution.
But it’s not all hard work! Tony believes that cryptic crosswords should be fun and his talk is peppered with humorous quips and quotes, such as, “Have you heard about the crossword compiler? When he died, he was buried 6 down and 3 across”.
For an entertaining experience combined with a masterclass in solving cryptic crosswords, the Players Theatre on Saturday 6th June is the place to be! Tickets are a snip at £5 each and are available from https://www.thameplayers.co.uk/events/cracking-cryptics or in person from the Thame Town Hall Information Centre.
