Live wires taken on stage perhaps (5)

I believe the answer is:

leads

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'live wires' is the definition.
'leads' can be an answer for 'wires' (lead is a kind of wire). I'm not certain of the 'live' bit.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for leads that I've seen before include "Actors who play principle roles" , "Goes ahead" , "Guides; wires" , "singers principally?" , "Directs" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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