A sketch by Jean-Pierre Martinez
The ups and downs of the noble profession of acting, portrayed through a series of around fifteen short scenes that humorously highlight the quirks and pitfalls of what might also be considered the oldest profession in the world.
In this collection of fifteen short scenes, Jean-Pierre Martinez takes us behind the curtain of the performing arts world with humour that is at once sharp, tender, and clear-eyed. Idle actors, overworked agents, absent directors, jaded extras, unresponsive audiences—even future artificial intelligences—each character embodies, in their own way, the contradictions, hopes, and absurdities of the acting profession.
From botched rehearsals and absurd castings to endless takes and awkward curtain calls, each sketch highlights an often-overlooked reality lived by those who operate in the shadows of the spotlight. Theatre emerges here as both a refuge and a magnifying mirror of our society.
List of sketches
1 – To Earn a Living
2 – A Screen Kiss
3 – Casting Call
4 – Directing Actors
5 – Exquisite Corpse
6 – Celebrity Secrets
7 – Scared to Death
8 – Background Work
9 – Payback
10 – Encore
11 – Quiet on Set!
12 – A Murderer’s Face
13 – Original Version
14 – You talkin’ to me?
15 – Final Cut
All the texts available on this site can be downloaded for free. However, performance rights, which constitute fair compensation for the author’s work, are a legal obligation. Whether you are an amateur or a professional, you must request authorization to perform the play and pay the corresponding royalties for the production. To get in touch with Jean-Pierre Martinez and ask an authorization to represent one of his works: Contact form.
Download the entire collection free of charge (PDF)
Thematic and Dramaturgical Analysis
An ironic tribute to showbiz professions
Through these sketches, Martinez pays homage to the world of theatre and cinema with biting clarity. The artist is not idealised—often shown plagued by doubt, ridicule or uselessness. Yet this constant self-mockery also reveals the author’s deep love for this “noble profession.”
A satire of the cultural system
The dialogues humorously expose the flaws of the French cultural ecosystem: dubious subsidies, opaque castings, the struggle to succeed without connections… There’s a subtle critique of favouritism and the shallowness of certain artistic circles.
Art as a mirror of the human condition
The actor becomes a reflection of the ordinary person—full of doubt, craving recognition, fearing failure or oblivion. Some sketches veer towards the philosophical, touching on mortality and the slow fading of the artist behind the role.
Theatre within theatre
Metatheatre is a constant: actors often play themselves or play a role within a role. This structure reinforces the blurring between fiction and reality, character and performer.
Situational and repetitive comedy
Martinez’s style relies on quick, punchy dialogue and a well-oiled comedic rhythm: absurd situations, misunderstandings, false improvisations… A tone that oscillates between boulevard comedy and contemporary wit à la Raymond Devos or Woody Allen.
To be performed… or simply read?
Each sketch stands on its own, perfect for the stage or the page. The collection can be staged with energy or read as a satirical essay on the backstage reality of theatre. Ideal for workshops, amateur troupes or professionals in search of sharp, short comedic texts.