Actor in first half of famous play? (3)

I believe the answer is:

ham

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'actor' is the definition.
(I know that ham is a type of actor)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for ham that I've seen before include "Gammon" , "Meat of the hog" , "one rescued from flood" , "Flamboyant actor, meaty type" , "Noah's second son - a bad actor?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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