The article deals with a special type of proverbs which are coined as presentations similar to theatre performances. Pragmatically, such communicative units function as micro shows with moral advice and include two main characters - a narrator and a person to be ridiculed. Semantically, such proverbs record axiogenic (value embedded) situations based on the figure of contrast between the behavior to be condemned and its antithesis. Typical human vices shown humorously or ironically are presented as object of criticism. Structurally, the sentences described function as a dialog or its part, they often include direct speech or imitate someone’s manner of speaking.

proverb, staging, dialog, axiogenic situation, ridicule