Carrying it on stage in pieces (9)

I believe the answer is:

gestation

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'carrying it on stage in pieces' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'it on stage in pieces' is the wordplay.
'in pieces' indicates an anagram.
'it'+'on'+'stage'='itonstage'
'itonstage' anagrammed gives 'GESTATION'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for gestation that I've seen before include "as before being transported by coach" , "Development of plan" , "Development (in womb)" , "Period of development" , "Development over time" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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