The 'A' I got as follows:-- 3rd letters from both answers to 
clue 1. Play --5 letters (I thought was DRAMA)
clue 2  Idled --9 letters  (I thought STAGNATED)
The 'E' I got as follows:--
Last letter of 5 letter word from
clue. Embarrass (I thought SHAME) .  Its the first letter of a 5 letter word from Clue:--Vast multitude.