The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word FARCE
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
F
A
R
C
E
More clues leading to the result FARCE
- Material presented includes opening of clever comic play
- Comedy clubs putting on food
- Comedy clubs cutting price of going
- Comedy at distant church
- Countenance having Queen in comedy
- Mug gets to hug lover finally in comedy
- Stuff of comedy
- Actors perform foolishly in it
- Traveller catches cold? That’s funny!
- Food includes cold stuffing
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "total shambles" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case total shambles = farce.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does FARCE mean?
FARCE noun- A style of humor marked by broad improbabilities with little regard to regularity or method.
- A motion picture or play featuring this style of humor.
- A situation abounding with ludicrous incidents.
- A ridiculous or empty show.
- Forcemeat, stuffing.
- To stuff with forcemeat.
- To fill full; to stuff.
- To make fat.
- To swell out; to render pompous.