Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (UK Und.) to shout, to make a fuss; thus staging adj.

1682		E. Hickeringill The Mushroom in Works (1709) II 366: A Staging, bawdy, common, Hackney Muse.
1729		J. Dyer Narrative of Life before Execution 32: We were forced to rifle him, and took about thirty Shillings; he did (stage much) that is our Cant Word for crying out.

2. (UK police/und.) to attempt an escape.

1950

P. Hoskins No Hiding Place! 190/2: I staged him in a Tick. Trying to escape, or hit him in the stomach causing him to stop.