Topical variety show? Critical appraisal heard (5)
I believe the answer is:
revue
'topical variety show?' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'critical appraisal heard' is the wordplay.
'critical appraisal' becomes 'review' (I've seen this before).
'heard' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'review' sounds like 'REVUE'.
(Other definitions for revue that I've seen before include "Form of light entertainment" , "Stage show" , "Topical variety show" , "Light stage work" , "Entertainment with sketches, songs etc" .)