A Swimming Lesson in a Theatre Without a Lifeguard

Another Banger from Alleged

Every show I've seen from these guys has been unique, witty, weird, and hilarious - this one is no exception. I especially loved Jake's life-jacket flashback/monologue - as funny as it was, it was genuinely impressive acting and even got a little dark. Looking forward to seeing the next one! :)

Loved it!

Fantastic show teaching me to be my own life guard. The ending song really brought the show together.

I’m prepared for the water

I learned how to put on a life jacket. I learned how to love again.

Physical comedy keeps you involved

The movement of this show brought me in. Strong example of physical comedy.

You’ve gotta be your own lifeguard

Educational!

Whistles!

Expectations were for a lighthearted campy Fringe show and this one delivered swimmingly. With the performance unfolding, the plot revealed each character’s hang up and resolution. That was artfully done and the high energy and final song sent us off smiling.

5 bags of popcorn

Great show, 5 bags of popcorn and one inflatable pool toy.

Fun with fringe

It does what it says on the tin. A fun fringey way to spend an hour

Be your own lifeguard!

Extremely educational water safety course. Would recommend to all!!!

Hilarious and thoughtful with something for all

Absolutely loved this show!

Hilarious Fun

As usual, Alleged delivered an entertaining experience. I laughed, I cried (from laughing) and I couldn't get that song out of my head. Agree with other reviewers - definitely a must see!

Hilarious Fun

As usual, Alleged delivered an entertaining experience. I laughed, I cried (from laughing) and I couldn't get that song out of my head. Agree with other reviewers - definitely a must see!

Lifeguard not included

More goodness from an alleged theater company. Great fun and a ge take reminder that we're all dealing with something difficult - and it's okay to save yourself.

So much fun!!

I probably felt the entire spectrum of human emotion in one hour. These guys are so goofy and it was a blast! Very valuable life lessons hidden among the silliness :) highly recommend a watch!!

Fast-paced, funny, must-see

This show was fantastic all the way through. The performers had excellent presence and kept me sucked in the whole time. What starts off as some scattered (very funny) gags quickly spirals into absolute madness in the best possible way. Script, blocking, pacing, prop work, lighting -- it all works. Go see this show!

No one in red is coming to save you 🎶

More Than a Show an experience

The show was incredibly fun. Very animated and engaging and incredible use of the 360° stage that made everyone feel engaged.

Great energy at this show

Tons of fun with lots of little quirks and twists! Definitely worth seeing, and a good one to bring your friends to!

No lifeguard, just 3 weirdos

An unusual premise with strong, unusualler characters makes for a performance that will keep you hooked throughout. There is something wrong with each of these 3 swim instructors and I love them for it

Unfathomable horrors lay beneath the waves.

A lighthearted and primarily educational romp with absolutely no post-traumatic episodes, phone calls from the doctor, or eldritch extra-dimensional creatures beyond comprehension.

Best directing and scriptwriting, but . . .

This review is from seeing show #4. In one sentence: A cast similar to 2009’s “The Hangover” creates a world of fantastic bits, making two dimensional characters come to life through three dimensional backstories. In three sentences: you’re about to experience a trio whose rapport is almost impossible to replicate without deep connections offstage, letting the comedic timing and natural chemistry among these characters shine. My gut feeling . . . something is missing, most likely some writing addressing how the three of them came together to be swim instructors in the first place. But let yourself dive into the deep end of this goofy adventure, and don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

More than it seems, allegedly

Stem to stern, this show is metaphor wrapped in commentary smothered in life lesson. The content is the delivery is the content.

Ideal Fringe Show

Incredibly funny, great use of the space, great use of minimal props and simple lighting, and surprisingly heartfelt moments giving each character a full arc. See this show!

There were fun moments

The accent didn't land with me. The concept was fun and silly but the show started to feel long. I'd hoped for more.

I laughed so hard I shot water out of my nose

A pitch perfect blend of absurdity and surrealism performed deftly by these three wildy talented (and possibly deeply troubled) performers. Couldn't ask for a better Fringe show.

Endlessly creative

I love their work, and I'm excited to follow them around outside the Fringe festival now. Their show last year was one of my favorites, and they have created magic again. Please go see this show!

Campy Fun

This is a fun show where they discuss *surprise* how to swim without water. The actors did a good job integrating their characters lives into the story, while still getting the audience to laugh through the show. One thing I took away: You gotta beeee your own lifeguard.

Learned to swim without a lifeguard!

Play was as advertised, would recommend for those looking to swim freely.

Fringe funny

You can always guarantee Alleged will come out with a weird but expertly written show. The weirdness is so funny though, and I've come to eagerly await their performance every year. Very fringey, be ready to maybe be confused but be entertained nonetheless.

Alleged Goes Off The Deep End

Last year’s Spirit of Fringe winners wipe the mustard from their shirts in exchange for whistles and seven layers of sunscreen. They’re once again mining legitimate pathos from a super goofy plot, though ironically compared to “Hot Dogs” last year the absurd premise and audience participation wasn’t as strong but the dramatic character moments were more effective. Each swim instructor uses the stupid world of rules they created to escape something haunting them from their past or present; all three weirdos have great range as actors.

Twists, Turns, Tons of fun!

The show had the crowd roaring with laughter, but also gave characters depth and a story behind them. Was a great show that kept me laughing, engaged, and on my toes. It has something for everyone, so be sure to check it out!

A Katie Ledecky Caliber Performance

An alleged theatre does it again. You won’t see a more consistently funny and thought provoking company in the Twin Cities. Don’t miss this show, come support these guys and drown in good times!

The Most Affordable Swimming Lesson You Can Find!

I was not sure how they were going to pull off a "dry run" swimming lesson in a theatre, but to my surprise, I am now a better swimmer more than ever! If you're a fan of whistles, music, hotels, and lifelong lessons, this is the show for you!

Fun, absurd, and heartfelt.

Holding true to the classic alleged wackiness and humor, Swimming Lesson layers in great moments of heart and depth. Absolutely worth the watch <3

Loved it!

Absolutely hilarious, and equally deep. A must see for fringe!

Shedding dignity for our benefit

Lots of folks have said great things about their presence and use of space, creativity and boldness. Agree with all of that. I went away with a sense of the bravery of the honesty of their giving as performers and I felt like the show, while fun and silly, was an invitation to walk honestly in the world in our vulnerability and shared humanity, even though we'll all wind up treading water together.

Pool of laughs, floating emotions

This show was hilarious! And then came through with heart and emotion, and even some important lessons on swimming learned.

Exciting and Bold Work

This was my first experience observing work from this group, and excited to see more in the future. I've known several artists who have worked with them and glad I got to watch this production. Great use of space in Theatre in The Round, with three actors committed to their characters. I'm into fast-paced, quick exposition, especially in a Fringe show. They nail it right away, and don't leave me waiting for the show to start-start. There were moments where I was confused by how the existential stories for each character connected with the main theme and energy of the show, but the core "world" this sits in, is exactly what I want to enjoy. I'm not one who needs much justification for a bold choice, which I felt the dialect was, and it added a great layer to the story, and the character specifically. Audience interaction was fun and within it's absurdity, was a believable lesson, with characters who brought life to a script they seemingly all worked on.