Attempt to take in old drama? (7)
I believe the answer is:
tragedy
'drama?' is the definition.
(tragedy is a type of drama)
'attempt to take in old' is the wordplay.
'attempt to' becomes 'try' (I've seen this in other clues).
'take in' indicates putting letters inside.
'old' becomes 'aged' (similar in meaning).
'try' enclosing 'aged' is 'TRAGEDY'.
(Other definitions for tragedy that I've seen before include "literary genre Aristotle analysed" , "Huge blow" , "Calamitous happening, great misfortune" , "event causing great pain" , "Drama genre" .)