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If I may jump in for ixion: I don't think 26a is connected with the "theme"---at least my answer works perfectly without reference to it.

I think they are all thematic cmk, 25A works in a similar way to 13D but minus the themed element as opposed to adding it...about another six of the clues use this (+ or -) subset of the theme.

...sorry, I mean 26A.

Then my answer must be different from yours, ixion, although as I say I can parse it perfectly without using the "rule". I assume you've finished. Did you not find any others that didn't need this "rule"? Am beginning to wonder whether I've gone wrong, if there are no exceptions.

My tenuous 26ac (which i can parse) might be a little rash.....

That's how I see it cmk...my parsing has a superfluous word representative of the theme GK.

Yes, I have the theme now, though I am by no means finished.

I agree with those who think the instructions have been omitted - it's doable (obviously) but without a rubric it's a bit hit and miss.

I can discern a themed element in all of them GK (except 1ac, though I'm sure it's there!) but I do have an active imagination!

Finished this - a good one. Ixion, re 1ac the Egyptian king looks redundant to me, he's there in the answer but not needed, the firm and support provide the answer. Not sure how that helps but there is something extra there I think.

I think the "theme" bit must relate to "shows" T-leek, I take Egyptian and king to be part of a triple defn.