The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 letter word PANTO
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
P
A
N
T
O
More clues leading to the result PANTO
- Play that amuses worker in Post Office?
- Gasp at old form of entertainment
- Savagely criticise most of top Christmas show
- Criticise extremely taboo stage show
- Theatrical entertainment overlong? Switch each half around
- Lowbrow entertainment — god, turn over!
- Quiptic setter’s taken to Christmas show
- Buttons might be in this receptacle, closed
- Yearn to have little old Christmas show
- Show — ‘Phantom’ — Queen not attending after rift
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Theatrical entertainment" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case theatrical entertainment = panto.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 PANTO mean?
PANTO noun- A mechanical linkage based on parallelograms causing two objects to move in parallel; notably as a drawing aid.
- By extension, a structure of crosswise bars linked in such a way that it can extend and compress like an accordion, such as in a pantograph mirror or a scissor lift.
- A pattern printed on a document to reduce the ease of photocopying.
- A similarly-formed conductive device, now usually Z-shaped, that collects electric current from overhead lines for trains and trams.
- A Classical comic actor, especially one who works mainly through gesture and mime.
- The drama in ancient Greece and Rome featuring such performers; or (later) any of various kinds of performance modelled on such work.
- A traditional theatrical entertainment, originally based on the commedia dell'arte, but later aimed mostly at children and involving physical comedy, topical jokes, call and response, and fairy-tale plots.
- Gesturing without speaking; dumb-show, mime.