The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word STAGING
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
S
T
A
G
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Buddy explains!

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 STAGING mean?
STAGING verb- To produce on a stage, to perform a play.
- To demonstrate in a deceptive manner.
- To orchestrate; to carry out.
- To place in position to prepare for use.
- To determine what stage (a disease, etc.) has progressed to
- A performance of a play
- The scenery and/or organization of actors' movements on stage.
- (by extension) The arrangement or layout of something in order to create an impression.
- The organization of something in order to prepare for or facilitate working with it.
- A structure of posts and boards for supporting workmen, etc., as in building.
- The act or process of putting on an event.
- The business of running stagecoaches.
- The act of journeying in stagecoaches.
- The classification of a patient or tumor into its stage of cancer.