No 11791, Wednesday 31 Aug 2016, Arden

Some unusual definitions today.

ACROSS
1   Partyman got it before '99 in a game (8) POLITICO {IT}{IC} in {POLO}
5   Hides review about key cuts (6) SNICKS {SKINS<=} around {C}
10 At the entrance he has a choice to work both sides (7) DOORMAN {DO}{OR}{MAN} &lit
11 Change in name only — yen spent in name only (7) NOMINAL {IN+nAMe+ONLy}*
12 It’s normal in America, even rurally (5) USUAL {US}{rUrAlLy}
13 Use our money on church regularly (9) ROUTINELY {OUR}*{TIN}{ELY}
14 Building material for bridge — gets to choose something clean (5-3­-4) SPICK-AND-SPAN {S{PICK}-AND} {SPAN}
18 Better impressions over good clues (12) FINGERPRINTS {FIN{G}ER}{PRINTS}
21 Perhaps then, you say “Carol's showing interest” (9) ENTHUSING {THEN}*{U(~you)}{SING}
23 Next character on top of Polish river (5) RHINE (-s+r)RHINE
24 I belong to another base (7) IGNOBLE*
25 Price of beer from the plant (7) ALECOST {ALE}{COST}

26 Graham's for say, solar power (6) GREENE (~ green)
27 Group test depends on division (8) SECTORAL {SECT}{ORAL}

DOWN
1   Stage a cricket match — half pound to cover it (6) PODIUM {P{ODI}UMmel}
2   Search for country within group set up (4,2) LOOK UP {LOO{K U}P}<=
3   Terror in parts of photographic technique (4-­5) TIME-LAPSE Anno pending (Addendum - T(TIME}error{LAPSE} - See comments)
4   Engineers have to take Carbon out to help avoid issues (14) CONTRACEPTIVES {CONTR{AcCEPT}IVES
6   Then I'm bitter seeing some dark clouds (5) NIMBI [T]

7   Caught on bait, heaping scorn (8) CONTEMPT {C}{ON}{TEMPT}
8   Saw restricted place, spreading out (8) SPLAYING {LAy} in {SPYING} (Addendum - {PL} in {SAYING} - See comments)
9   Currently covering one in offending gag (10,4) INSULATING TAPE {INSUL{A}TING} {TAPE} Iffy definition
15 Discourage him to wash his clothes (9) DETERGENT {DETER}{GENT}
16 Give a call right away, it's a gift (8) OFFERING {OFFER}{rING}
17 Admitted position for example (8) INSTANCE {IN}{STANCE}
19 Strict usage of energy happens with change in leadership (6) RIGOUR (-v+r)RIGOUR
20 Crazy not to lose heart during lunch, say (6) MENTAL {NoT} in {MEAL}
22 Old city will catch up with new city (5) URBAN {UR}{NAB<=}

GRID