Final answer:
Extending the time span of a play for artistic unity is an acceptable practice if it serves a specific artistic purpose and enhances the storytelling, ensuring that the audience's experience is not disrupted but rather enriched.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the extension of time in a play to achieve artistic unity, it is important to understand that such changes often on the needs of the story being told. The artistic choice to extend a play's span can be valuable if it serves a specific artistic purpose and enhances the story without disrupting the flow of the play. For instance, in Epic poetry, including multiple events that are relevant to the subject can add to the poem's mass and dignity, and the same can be true for a play. In modern theatre, plays can range from a few minutes to several hours and may vary from one to five acts, each structured around central plot points meant to keep the audience engaged.
The success of any play relies on the balance between pace and rhythm, ensuring that the urgency of the moment is not lost, and the audience remains attentive. The director's task is to find an organic and natural pace that both enhances the storytelling and aligns with the actors' performances. The ultimate goal is to engage the audience, avoiding any disruptions that could break the immersive experience.
In summary, whether a play's time span should be extended for artistic unity largely depends on whether it strengthens the production overall without compromising the original material's essence or the audience's experience.