Daily Tel, Thursday 25,497

[miff wrights]

Just finished today's but still puzzling over the relevance of the clues for 1ac and 9d:

1ac: Performers on stage need make-up and carpets (3-7) = TAP DANCERS

I get the reference to to performers on stage but where do make-up and carpets come into it?

9d: Once you are one, son, make an effort to show skill (8) = ARTISTRY

I can see that once is 1st (IST) and that skill is artistry but I can't see how the rest fits together. What is significance of son here??

Any illumination gratefully received.

Thanks. M

[Rod Mac]

An A R T I S A N is a tradesman
Take away 'an' and add 'TRY'

[Catron]

Tap dancers is an anagram of 'and carpets'.

Once you = ART One = I son= S make an effort = TRY

[jno]

thou art is an old way of saying you are... so art +1 (one) + s (son) + try (make an effort)

[miff wrights]

Thanks for the replies! You have put me out of my misery.

I missed the anagram in 1ac.

I still think 9d is a bit dodgy though.

M