Mitch to take dramatic role in The Fugitive outside school (4,6)

I believe the answer is:

play truant

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If this is the answer I cannot explain how the clue works.

(Other definitions for play truant that I've seen before include "Skip school" , "avoid the classroom" , "Miss school" , "Avoid school" , "Stay away from school" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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