Crossword Genius

Mess about, as one might in Shakespeare play? (3,3,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

act the fool

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'mess about' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.

'one might in shakespeare play?' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'one' could be 'o' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'o' is present in the answer.
'play?' could be 'act' (playing is a kind of acting) and 'act' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for act the fool that I've seen before include "Don't be serious!" , "Play part in Lear" , "Take part in King Lear" , "Behave in a silly way" , "That's to be reckless" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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