Embarrassing display of emotion as part of play (5)
I believe the answer is:
scene
I believe this clue is a triple definition!
'embarrassing display' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'of' acts as a link.
'emotion' is the second definition.
(scene is a kind of emotion)
'as' acts as a link.
'part of play' is the third definition.
('scene' is part of 'play')
(Other definitions for scene that I've seen before include "Panorama" , "Division of a play" , "Landscape; part of play" , "bit of an act" , "Picture" .)