Play mother, following earldom around (9)
I believe the answer is:
melodrama
'play' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'mother following earldom around' is the wordplay.
'mother' becomes 'ma' (ma can mean mother).
'following' says to put letters next to each other.
'around' is an anagram indicator.
'earldom' anagrammed gives 'melodra'.
'ma' put after 'melodra' is 'MELODRAMA'.
(Other definitions for melodrama that I've seen before include "Sensational stage piece" , "Sensational entertainment" , "sensational affair" , "Old play in emotional and sensational style" , "Over-sensational play" .)