Support pageant or plays (9)
I believe the answer is:
patronage
'support' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'pageant or plays' is the wordplay.
'plays' indicates an anagram.
'pageant'+'or'='pageantor'
'pageantor' is an anagram of 'PATRONAGE'.
(Other definitions for patronage that I've seen before include "The power to control privileges" , "Support" , "Condescension" , "financial backing" , "Regular custom" .)