Cross dramatist, English (8)
I believe the answer is:
traverse
'cross' is the definition.
('traverse' can be a synonym of 'cross')
'dramatist english' is the wordplay.
'dramatist' becomes 'travers' (Ben Travers).
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'travers'+'e'='TRAVERSE'
(Other definitions for traverse that I've seen before include "Cross sideways" , "Extend or bridge across" , "Ski diagonally across (a slope)" , "In mountaineering, a steep slope to be crossed from side to side" , "Travel across or pass over" .)