Pole playing a part in television or theatre (5)
I believe the answer is:
north
'pole' is the definition.
(North Pole is an example)
'playing a part in television or theatre' is the wordplay.
'playing a part in' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'NORTH' can be found hidden inside 'television or theatre'.
(Other definitions for north that I've seen before include "Towards top of map" , "A quarter" , "PM 1770-82" , "Compass bearing" , "He let America go" .)