2664: First name terms

The unclued lights, two of which accommodate two theme words, can be sorted into four trios of related words, each forming a reducing chain of 6, 5 and 4 letters.

Across

11    Disentangle one French composer (7)

14    Department having some bargain dresses (5)

16    Annoying children – crazy right through (5)

19    Surfer returned French hooter at 1.10 (7)

21    Something penned by Lehar, I assume? (4)

23    A US politician entering top educational surroundings (7)

25    Old sovereign’s glittering fishes (7)

30    Severe criticisms of VAT, say (7)

32    Road to nowhere (4,3)

35    Still moving about on climbing frames (7)

37    Black market trader’s location (5)

40    Such idle eaters’ sports car (5)

41    Graham and Sheena each turned back losing one or two letters for Indian princess (9)

43    Transport in Lisbon melting tarmac by river (7)

44    Former England wicket-keeper’s dog (4,7)

Down

1    PSV employees go round one headland for entrepreneurs (11)

2    Was sound asleep? (6)

3    German artist, severe when cycling (5)

5    Round loo upset at Test ground (4)

6    Content of someone’s temporary home (4)

7    King at dance, losing weight (7)

8    One going in lower, not both (7)

9    Vieux? (3,6)

10    Planet’s epigrammist (7)

17    A couple of French felled tree gauge (7)

18    Relations with 50% of ward staff? (4-7)

20    Keen to win set pieces (7)

22    Snapshot catches an island in it – showing key technique (9)

26    Lady Macbeth’s initial outburst passionately portrayed (5)

27 Hanging basket on Venetian canals (7)

28    Counsellor, regularly paid, avoids worry (7)

29    Shell structure (7)

38    Price of passage is not bad, we hear (4)

39    Taylor – a late inclusion for Test (4)

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