Possible Clues:

• Centre of operations whence McCarthy reported
• Place for the rate or for show
• At this stage the rate is rent
• Gielgud's love
• Hospital operating room - playhouse
• Where one might look to find 27 across
• That's the place in which a thespian's beginning
• Scene of military activity in that place, occupied by mounted soldiers
• At one stage or another the rate is crooked
• The boards should get the rate adjusted