Reportedly regarded as part of the play (5)
I believe the answer is:
scene
'part of the play' is the definition.
('scene' is part of 'play')
'reportedly regarded' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'regarded' becomes 'seen' (I've seen this in another clue).
'seen' sounds like 'SCENE'.
'as' is the link.
(Other definitions for scene that I've seen before include "Division of an act" , "A row - or a view" , "Spectacle" , "Pleasant view or public quarrel" , "Panorama" .)