Demands and obtains kiss in ultimately lamentable performances (6)
I believe the answer is:
exacts
'demands' is the definition.
(I know this)
'kiss in ultimately lamentable performances' is the wordplay.
'kiss' becomes 'x' (X can represent a kiss).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'ultimately' suggests the final letters.
'performances' becomes 'acts' (act is a kind of performance).
The last letter of 'lamentable' is 'e'.
'e'+'acts'='eacts'
'x' inserted into 'eacts' is 'EXACTS'.
'and obtains' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for exacts that I've seen before include "making demands" , "Compels payment of" , "Insists on or claims" , "Insists on and obtains - sound precise" , "Compels to furnish" .)