Theatrical production always sent up university dons (5)
I believe the answer is:
revue
'theatrical production' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'always sent up university dons' is the wordplay.
'always' becomes 'ever' (synonyms).
'sent up' is a reversal indicator.
'university' becomes 'U' (abbreviation as in UMass).
'dons' indicates putting letters inside (don can mean to wear or be covered in).
'ever' in reverse letter order is 'reve'.
'reve' placed around 'u' is 'REVUE'.
(Other definitions for revue that I've seen before include "Entertainment consisting of sketches" , "Topical variety show" , "Light theatrical entertainment" , "Variety show with mixed entertainments" , "Song and dance entertainment" .)