Is such a government a little theatrical? (6)

I believe the answer is:

puppet

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'theatrical?' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot see how one could define the other.

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for puppet that I've seen before include "eg Sooty; Petrushka" , "Manipulated figure" , "Doll operated by strings" , "Pawn - marionette" , "Toy (with strings attached?)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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