Crossword Genius

Scala production extremely tiresome work (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

operate

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'tiresome work' is the definition.
'operate' can be an answer for 'work' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'tiresome' bit.

'scala production extremely' is the wordplay.
'scala' becomes 'opera' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'production' becomes 'tome' (tome is a kind of production).
'extremely' suggests removing the centre (letters on the extremes of the word are used).
'tome' with its middle taken out is 'te'.
'opera'+'te'='OPERATE'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for operate that I've seen before include "Perform as surgeon does" , "Make function" , "Act, like a surgeon" , "Work as a surgeon" , "Perform surgery or run a machine" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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