Final answer:
The ability to rapidly shift from place to place and between different time periods in a play was first seen during the Realism movement in the mid to late 19th Century. Playwrights like Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekov crafted plays allowing for more dynamic scenic designs and transitions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The time period in theatre when it first became possible to shift rapidly from one place to another and from one time period to another in a play corresponds with the Realism movement. This occurred in the mid to late 19th Century, influenced by transformative social changes and advances in stagecraft.
Realism in theatre became a reflection of society, acting as a mirror to human behavior with a focus on accurate depictions of everyday life. Advances during this period allowed for more dynamic and varied scenic designs, contributing to rapid shifts in setting that had not been previously possible in forms like melodrama or the Neoclassical and Romantic styles.
Henrik Ibsen and Anton Chekov were notable figures in developing modern realistic drama. They embraced this new capability, crafting plays that could transport audiences seamlessly through time and space, which was revolutionary in comparison to former periods where scenery and location changes were more static and narrative-driven transitions were slower.