Crossword Genius

She who isn't really a player at Christmas (9,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pantomime dame

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'christmas' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I cannot tell whether it can be defined by this definition.

'she who isn't really a player' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'she' could be 'tomi' and 'tomi' is located in the answer.
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found in the answer.
'player' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is found in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'at' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pantomime dame that I've seen before include "Mother Goose, for example" , "Cross-dressing theatrical" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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