'To shift the scene' definitions:

Definition of 'To shift the scene'

From: GCIDE

Shift \Shift\ (sh[i^]ft), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shifted; p. pr. & vb. n. Shifting.] [OE. shiften, schiften, to divide, change, remove. AS. sciftan to divide; akin to LG. & D. schiften to divide, distinguish, part Icel. skipta to divide, to part, to shift, to change, Dan skifte, Sw. skifta, and probably to Icel. sk[imac]fa to cut into slices, as n., a slice, and to E. shive, sheave, n., shiver, n.]
1. To divide; to distribute; to apportion. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
To which God of his bounty would shift Crowns two of flowers well smelling. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]
2. To change the place of; to move or remove from one place to another; as, to shift a burden from one shoulder to another; to shift the blame. [1913 Webster]
Hastily he schifte him[self]. --Piers Plowman. [1913 Webster]
Pare saffron between the two St. Mary's days, Or set or go shift it that knowest the ways. --Tusser. [1913 Webster]
3. To change the position of; to alter the bearings of; to turn; as, to shift the helm or sails. [1913 Webster]
Carrying the oar loose, [they] shift it hither and thither at pleasure. --Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster]
4. To exchange for another of the same class; to remove and to put some similar thing in its place; to change; as, to shift the clothes; to shift the scenes. [1913 Webster]
I would advise you to shift a shirt. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
5. To change the clothing of; -- used reflexively. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
As it were to ride day and night; and . . . not to have patience to shift me. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
6. To put off or out of the way by some expedient. "I shifted him away." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
To shift off, to delay; to defer; to put off; to lay aside.
To shift the scene, to change the locality or the surroundings, as in a play or a story. [1913 Webster]
Shift the scene for half an hour; Time and place are in thy power. --Swift. [1913 Webster]