Tricky performance as an act in variety (5)

I believe the answer is:

antic

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'tricky performance as an' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'act in variety' is the wordplay.
'variety' indicates an anagram.
'act'+'in'='actin'
'actin' with letters rearranged gives 'ANTIC'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for antic that I've seen before include "Mad act done for fun" , "Caper; grotesque (arch.)" , "Eccentric once" , "Playful caper" , "Ludicrous act done for fun" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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