08.02.09 -- The Critic -- the Acrostic

Sunday, August 2, 2009
ACROSTIC, Puzzle by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon, edited by Will Shortz
The Critic, a play by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, is a burlesque on the problems of producing a play. The play within the play being rehearsed is ‘The Spanish Armada’, a parody of the modish tragic drama of the day. Mr. Puff, the author, has invited to the rehearsal two brutal and inept theatre critics. His ridiculous historical drama, including the somber discussions by the author and his guests, their indistinguishable involvement with the rehearsal, and frequent interruptions by producer, actors, and stage hands, continues with unrelieved liveliness to the conclusion. For the full play, go HERE.
The quotation: I OPEN WITH A CLOCK STRIKING, TO BEGET AN AWFUL ATTENTION IN THE AUDIENCE: IT ALSO MARKS THE TIME, WHICH IS FOUR O’CLOCK in the morning, AND SAVES A DESCRIPTION OF THE RISING SUN, AND A GREAT DEAL ABOUT GILDING THE EASTERN HEMISPHERE.
The author’s name and the title of the work: RICHARD SHERIDAN THE CRITIC
The defined words: A. Act of noncompliance, REFUSAL; B. Yellow glow on a polar cloud,
ICEBLINK; C. Long, loose robe, CAFTAN; D. Instrument often found in a greenhouse, HUMIDISTAT; E. Object of Aphrodite’s affections, ADONIS; F. Manhandle (2 wds.), ROUGH UP; G. Get ready to cook, in a way, DEFROST; H. Black eye, SHINER; I. Aptly popular Carly Simon album of 1974?, HOTCAKES; J. Majority in 47 of the United States, EIGHTEEN; K. Back up on a cassette, REWIND; L. Fancy, reckon, suppose, IMAGINE; M. Fit together neatly, DOVETAIL; N. Lost in thought; away, ABSENT; O. Sack dress?, NIGHTWEAR; P. Put in long, hard hours, TOILED; Q. Shape of a British 50-pence coin, HEPTAGON; R. No. 1 fan?, EGOIST; S. 1967 film starring Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave, CAMELOT; T. Search with abandon, RANSACK; U. Not yet fully developed, INCHOATE; V. Shows flashes of brilliance, TWINKLES; W. Saturn’s third-largest moon, IAPETUS; X. Home of the ancient Isthmian Games, CORINTH.
The quotation in the context of the play:
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Click on image to enlarge.
Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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1 comment:

Leon said...

Thanks for the write-up.

DEFROST and ICEBLINK reminded me of yesterday's Burning Ice exhibit in Union Square.