Plays for time in part of theatre (6)
I believe the answer is:
stalls
I believe this is a double definition.
'plays for time' is the first definition.
(I've seen this before)
'part of theatre' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for stalls that I've seen before include "pews" , "Stops suddenly like engine out of fuel" , "Seating on the ground floor of a theatre" , "Compartments for horses" , "Evasive moves" .)