Crossword Genius

Agents inspiring good actor's last portrayal of Hamlet? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cigar

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'portrayal of hamlet?' is the definition.
'cigar' can be an answer for 'hamlet?' (Hamlet is a brand of cigar). I'm not sure about the 'portrayal of' bit.

'agents inspiring good actor's last' is the wordplay.
'agents' becomes 'CIA' (Central Intelligence Agency).
'inspiring' is an insertion indicator.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'last' indicates one should take the final letters.
The final letter of 'actor' is 'r'.
'cia' going around 'g' is 'ciga'.
'ciga'+'r'='CIGAR'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cigar that I've seen before include "Something to smoke" , "Smoked item" , "Cylinder of tobacco" , "Eg, Havana, panatella" , "Big roll of tobacco" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app