Work with case in theatre (7)

I believe the answer is:

operate

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'work with case in theatre' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'work with case in theatre' is the wordplay.
'work' becomes 'opera' (musical work).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'case in' says to hollow out the word (remove centre letters) (the letters which encase the word are used).
'theatre' 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 "effect" , "Make to work" , "Work, function" , "Cause to function" , "Work - perform surgery" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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