The thread hypothesis is that egalitarianism is a merely instrumental value, which we pursue (or perhaps pretend to pursue) in order to keep the workers working

The thread hypothesis is that egalitarianism is a merely instrumental value, which we pursue (or perhaps pretend to pursue) in order to keep the workers working. If this theatre dissolution led to less egalitarianism but workers working yet more mindlessly, then that would be fine. You might disagree, but in that case your disagreement should be lodged further upthread.