Central characters in farce bow (3)
I believe the answer is:
arc
'bow' is the definition.
(both can mean a curve)
'central characters in farce' is the wordplay.
'ARC' is hidden within the letters.
But, I am unsure how this is indicated.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for arc that I've seen before include "less than the complete circuit" , "Something curved in shape" , "bends?" , "development of plot" , "Rainbow, e.g." .)