Crossword Genius

Confidence in the theatre (5)

Ross

I think it could be either:

Which length description are you looking for?:

5

5,7

stage whisper

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'confidence' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'theatre' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'theatre' could be 'stage' (stage is a kind of theatre) and 'stage' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'whisper' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for stage whisper that I've seen before include "something the audience should hear" , "Actor's aside" , "Utterance by an actor, supposedly not heard by the other players" , "Ostensibly private aside intended to be heard by audience" , "Actor's quiet remark meant for the audience to hear" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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