Crossword Genius

Dramatist needing writing instruments of old (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shawms

'instruments of old' is the definition.
(historical type of wind instrument)

'dramatist needing writing' is the wordplay.
'dramatist' becomes 'shaw' (playwright George Bernard Shaw).
'needing' says to put letters next to each other.
'writing' becomes 'ms' (abbreviation for manuscript).
'shaw'+'ms'='SHAWMS'

(Another definition for shawms that I've seen is " early Melody Makers?".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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