ACROSS
 8. <shock> PERIWIG = ←GI WIRE P←
 9. (ON A ROLL) = ON A ROLL <consistently successful>
10. <thief> ROBIN HOOD = ROB IN HOOD
11. ←KIT← K_ A_ = TIKKA <tandoori dish>
12. <urge> IMPEL = MP inside LIE*
14. <spongy> ABSORBENT = ORB inside ABSENT
16. (AEOLIAN HARP GENT)* = GENERATION ALPHA <cohort>
19. RUSH LIGHT = RUSHLIGHT <cheap candle>
22. <Irish police> GARDA = ←A DRAG←
23. ←N A MEH← = HE-MAN <exemplar of masculinity>
24. <took> STOMACHED = (TOM'S)* ACHE D
26. <genuine> SINCERE = (.s)S IN CERE(m.)
27. VI G_ inside ANON = AVIGNON <French city>

DOWN
 1. C_ RIB = CRIB <bed>
 2. (DER outside L) after S WIN = SWINDLER <con artist>
 3. <clueless> IGNORANT = (TIR NA NOG)*
 4. R_ ON + ←SOD← = RONDOS <tunes>
 5. CATER outside S_ = CASTER <sort of sugar>
 6. B OO KK + EE + PER = BOOKKEEPER <pencil-pusher>
 7. <insect> FLEA = _F LEA
 8. <bowl> PORRINGER = P OR + RINGER
13. <sanction> PUNISHMENT = ISH MEN inside PUNT
15. <al fresco eatery> TEA GARDEN = GATE* + ARDEN
17. OP + TONAL outside I = OPTIONAL <not necessary>
18. AUG RAIN outside T_ = AU GRATIN <cooking style>
20. <stay> LINGER = ←R + EG NIL←
21. _G_ (AS PER) = GASPER <smoke>
23. HAS H = HASH <meat and potatoes>
25. HUN K_ = HUNK <attractive guy>