Thanks anyway, teenieleek. I have solved all the other clues - but haven't sussed the theme - so post again if you get to the stuck and infuriated stage!
i'm down to the last 3 (no idea of the theme yet although there don't seem to be many alternatives for 19d!)
one of the 3 is your clue malone!
Other 2 are:
16a Bard's encounter in narrow passage (5) ?LO??
36a VIP died an old lady (5) ??AM?