Crossword Genius

What happens in theatre company's first combined effort (2-9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

co-operation

'combined effort' is the definition.
(people working together)

'what happens in theatre company's first' is the wordplay.
'what happens in theatre' becomes 'operation' (as in an operating theatre).
'company' becomes 'co' (abbreviation).
'first' says to put letters next to each other.
'operation' after 'co' is 'CO-OPERATION'.

(Another definition for co-operation that I've seen is " Action of working together".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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