Lonely figure in theatre group, having taken a deviant approach after reflection (8)
I believe the answer is:
castaway
'lonely' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'figure in theatre group having taken a deviant approach after reflection' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'figure' could be 'c' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'c' is found within the answer.
'a' is found in the answer.
'approach' could be 'way' (a way of doing something) and 'way' is present in the answer.
The remaining letters 'sta' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for castaway that I've seen before include "Someone stranded on a 12 island" , "Desert island resident" , "Type of lace" , "Rejected person" , "just one left on the Strand?" .)