The unclued lights are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer.

Across

5 Parodies reflecting works of Shakespeare primarily (6)

9 A fishy character found the lady’s not hard to gauge (10)

16    Briefly research arm’s length trade on Vinted? (6)

17    Ultimately, Hamlet is not corrupt (5)

18    Philosopher drops ‘Introduction to Existentialism’ and sells clothes (5)

20    Artist fine with payment, head over heels following exhibition’s opening (7)

22    Oliver and I could get relief (7)

24    Recipe inspired by Alice’s boiled sweets (7)

25    Scoop a little residue out of dryer (5)

26    Enthusiastically take in a Pulp set (3,2)

28    Good motoring organisation retains foreign letter for illustration (7)

31    Fast food experts on board (3,4)

33    Children pinch a shilling (7)

38    Earl discovered element (5)

39    Small hamburger, fries and old, unopened salad (6)

40    Obelix accepts difference in power (3)

41    Wretched trial is go – about time! See them in court! (10)

Down

1 Cowardice, miserable setback and delay overwhelm Cromwell in the end (13)

2 Sometimes I well up a bit, seeing Hamilton (5)

3 Drive slowly to outskirts of Oxshott and leave (6)

4 Little monkey peeled fruit (5)

6 Gift posted beforehand? (7)

7 Exceptional Neo-Ximenean (3-3)

10    Instrument’s mysterious rubato (6)

11    Organic compound found in outer atmospheres of minor planets (9)

12    Old PM’s up, losing head in night-time torment (13)

19    In the Bahamas, Cupid is grinding teeth (9)

23    Champion Elsie regularly eats blended soup (7)

27    Take credit for page 16 (7)

29    Officer supports employer upping payoff (6)

30    Small gain from exercise welcomed by leaderless fleet (6)

32    Eat out and get pre-packed leaves (3,3)

34    Organisation stops turning inwards and starts creating openings (5)

35    Look inside one attempt to build shelter (5)

36    Dozy sounding, I’m often found steeped in gin (4)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of a £30 John Lewis voucher and two runners-up prizes of £20 vouchers for the first correct solutions opened on 6 April. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk, or post to: Crossword 2744, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.