Possible Clues:

• Revolutionary hugging a radical in an absurd act
• Sham, as boxer punched by Bill after beginning of count
• Daily forced to cancel leader in ridiculous pretence
• Bit of acting-out in a parlor game
• Notice in Daily Express initially a mockery?
• After drink, read novel that's flimsy fiction?
• Care had to be exercised in this absurd pretence
• Like toreadors, again and again
• For the most part, it's difficult finding Bill Clare outside pantomime
• Deceptive act