Single performances can make a little chap very big (5)
I believe the answer is:
solos
'single performances' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both acts as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'a little chap very big' is the wordplay.
'a little chap' becomes 'sol' (I am not sure about the 'little' bit.).
'very big' becomes 'os' (abbreviation for outsize).
'sol'+'os'='SOLOS'
'can make' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for solos that I've seen before include "Numbers" , "Musical passages for one instrument" , "Pieces of music for one voice or instrument" , "Unaccompanied parts" , "Passages for one player" .)