Take a consuming interest in the theatre (3)
I believe the answer is:
eat
'take a consuming interest' is the definition.
'eat' can be an answer for 'take' (eating is a kind of taking). I am unsure of the 'a consuming interest' bit.
'in the theatre' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'EAT' is hidden within 'theatre'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eat that I've seen before include "Be corrosive" , "Scoff" , "Dine in a restaurant" , "Do cats - bats? Do bats - cats? (Alice in Wonderland)" , "put away" .)