1938, France, Paris, at the Superior Conservatory of Dramatic Art ("Conservatoire Supérieur d'Art Dramatique"). The first-year entrance exams are in full swing. Many applicants, few accepted. Isabelle (Janine Darcey) is one of the few chosen. She joins former students from the second and third years, including François (Claude Dauphin) and Cécilia (Odette Joyeux). They attend the drama class run by Professor Lambertin (Louis Jouvet). The young people, passionate and eager to become comedians, clash in tumultuous love affairs, because by dint of acting, they imagine that life is a farce. François, for example, is in love with Isabelle, who also loves him, but is pursued by Cecilia, his former mistress... "Put art in your life and life in your art!"
Louis Jouvet
M. Lambertin, professeur au Conservatoire
Claude Dauphin
François Polti
Janine Darcey
Isabelle Didier
Odette Joyeux
Cécilia Prieur
Bernard Blier
Pescani, un élève du Conservatoire
Robert Pizani
Jérôme
Madeleine Lambert
Mme Élisabeth Prieur, mère de Cécilia
Roger Blin
Dominique, le gardien du château de la famille de Cécilia
