Concerning the district income (7)
The answer’s re-venue*. Clever, right? (Hint: the clue’s in two parts — as cryptic clues often are — so “concerning the district” gives “re: venue” and “income” gives “revenue”; another example: “Frequently decimal” gives “often,” because “frequently” means often, and the decimal system counts in units “of ten.” Easy when you know how!)
The question comes from a book of crosswords written by Stephen Sondheim (yes, that one) for New York Magazine in 1968 and 1969.
According to Time (and Wikipedia), Sondheim’s love of puzzlemaking was “legendary in theater circles:”
In 1987, Time referred to his love of puzzlemaking as “legendary in theater circles,” adding that the central character in Anthony Shaffer’s hit play Sleuth was inspired by Sondheim. […] He parlayed this talent into a film script, written with longtime friend Anthony Perkins, called The Last of Sheila. The 1973 film, directed by Herbert Ross, starred Dyan Cannon, Raquel Welch, Richard Benjamin, and others.
He also gives gifts of puzzles for birthdays and such. My kind of gift.
Anyway, the crossword puzzles are pretty good (and hard), if that’s your thing. If it’s not, this, from the Guardian, might help. I was never particularly good at them, but I do enjoy trying.
Related: A Great British Obsession and Lost Unions Fail? (Anag 5, 8).
(* And not “breasts,” but nice try, dailycow.)
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