Crossword Genius

Drama with old partner is tiresome (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

exacting

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'tiresome' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'drama with old partner' is the wordplay.
'drama' becomes 'acting' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'with' says to put letters next to each other.
'old partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'acting' after 'ex' is 'EXACTING'.

'is' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for exacting that I've seen before include "Stringent" , "Strict, demanding" , "Making great demands, requiring real effort" , "Not easily satisfied" , "Challenging" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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