Crossword Genius

A break for the kids when actors have to work? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

playtime

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a break' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'have to work?' is the wordplay.
'have' becomes 'time' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'to' says to put letters next to each other (I've seen this in other clues).
'work?' becomes 'play' (dramatic work).
'time' after 'play' is 'PLAYTIME'.

'for the kids when actors' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for playtime that I've seen before include "Period for pleasure" , "between lessons" , "Schoolchildren's break" , "Recreation period" , "Curtain up" .)

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