1: National official is here, carrying identification, after challenge overwhelms local center (4-9)
9: Massages were reported to be essential elements. (5)
10: Hot temperament, female, that is, stirred up sirens (9)
11: Window worker beginning to get more indolent (7)
13: Cuts back small curls (7)
14: Tries getting involved in real drama practice (9)
16: Beat writer's collaborator briefly drank (5)
17: Some gambling couple no longer in bed! (3-2)
18: Supply weapons to a fool? No! Its a South American mammal (9)
21: Sorry, Nine-A is stupid (7)
23: Those with regrets reining in destroyers (7)
24: Run a piece peculiarly devoted to the pursuit of sensual pleasures (9)
25: Love affair for one like Othello, we hear (5)
27: Shredded chad, he decrees, is one ingredient (7,6)