Crossword Genius

Put on stone -- no spring chicken! (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

staged

'put on' is the definition.
(both can mean fake or affected)

'stone no spring chicken' is the wordplay.
'stone' becomes 'st'.
'no spring chicken' becomes 'aged' (if someone is no spring chicken they're old).
'st'+'aged'='STAGED'

(Other definitions for staged that I've seen before include "Put on (as show)" , "Get ads (anag) - performed" , "Of a play, brought about" , "In tiers" , "Organised (a performance)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app