scene-shiftingn.
/ˈsiːnˌʃɪftɪŋ/, U.S. /ˈsinˌʃɪftɪŋ/ The action or process of changing and arranging the scenery and props for a theatrical performance. Also figurative.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > the staging of a theatrical production > [noun] > scene-painting or -shifting
scene painting1706
scene-shifting1760
1760 J. Gordon New Estimate Manners & Princ. vii. 90 If you once begin the magic of scene-shifting, it may as well be extended from the palace to the forum, as from one room in the palace to another.
1762 O. Goldsmith Citizen of World II. lxxvi. 61 The author..versed in all the mystery of scene-shifting, and trap-doors.
1814 L.-M. Hawkins Rosanne III. 170 (note) Neither must vulgar axioms..foster licentiousness or folly, by including the novelty of a life of forbearance..among the agreeable varieties of this world's scene-shifting.
1866 Mrs. W. Pitt Byrne Cosas de España x. 233 The unity of place is undeviatingly preserved on the Spanish stage; there is no scene-shifting.
1934 A. G. Smith William Cecil iii. ii. 182 The personality..popping in and out between the diplomatic scene-shifting, is that grotesque little figure, Elizabeth's latest suitor, Alençon.
1970 D. C. Mullin Devel. of Playhouse 3 The elaboration of scenic materials..demanded equally elaborate methods of scene shifting.
2008 P. Atkinson et al. Contours of Culture i. 20 The stage crew—who perform the manual work of scene-shifting—also create a certain amount of noise.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1760