This crossword No. 21623 clues and answers were published on Mon 28 Jun 1999 and the puzzle can be visited by following The Guardian Cryptic Crossword No. 21623 link.
All Across Clues and Answers:
1-across – Stage directors in groups : BOARDS
5-across – Intrude by chance or mistake : ENCROACH
9-across – Its users have no need to take flight to reveal confusion : ELEVATOR
10-across – Put in on without being told? : ASSUME
11-across – They aren’t charged, but make the most noise : EMPTYVESSELS
13-across – One outside hospital may need treatment : ACHE
14-across – Shellfish on edge : ESCALLOP
17-across – Always faithful? : CONSTANT
18-across – They are fast replacing buttons : ZIPS
20-across – They restore plush to order : UPHOLSTERERS
23-across – Aim straight : DIRECT
24-across – Nevertheless, netting first and last service : EVENSONG
25-across – Broken boot-tree found in the garden : BEETROOT
26-across – One has no reason to want it : SANITY
All Down Clues and Answers:
2-down – Lois becomes a medium : OILS
3-down – Critics about to join members of the audience : REVIEWERS
4-down – Physical exercises I put off when on board : SITUPS
5-down – Prompt payments may be what archaeologists are looking for : EARLYSETTLEMENT
6-down – Carriage boy : CLARENCE
7-down – Deserted place of refreshment? : OASIS
8-down – Old soldier who got the hump : CAMELCORPS
12-down – Oddly comic place associated with a criminal, perhaps : ACCOMPLICE
15-down – Idle girl going round giving choice to consumers : LAZYSUSAN
16-down – It sounds highly unnatural : FALSETTO
19-down – Quiet place for a school break : RECESS
21-down – Public minister raised in the Old Testament : OVERT
22-down – It makes fast speed at sea : KNOT
This crossword has in total 27 where 14 are across and 13 are down.