Crossword Genius

It could be dramatic when Liberal interferes in wages (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

play

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'wages' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to natural events as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'it could be dramatic when liberal interferes' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'liberal' could be 'l' (abbreviation) and 'l' is found in the answer.
'be' could be 'pay' (paying is a kind of being) and 'pay' is located in the leftover letters.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'in' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for play that I've seen before include "Portray in a drama" , "Stage drama" , "Make sport" , "Frolic" , "Freedom of movement" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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