REVIEW: Casual Receptionist of the Quarter (Edinburgh Fringe Festival)

Star rating: ★★★★★

Based on her personal story, Nicole Gulasekharam has brought her show, Casual Receptionist of the Quarter, to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Set behind the reception desk of a commercial gym, the show delivers a sharp, exceptionally clever workplace mockumentary—essentially The Office meets fitness culture. What makes the comedy hit even harder is knowing the narrative is rooted directly in writer-performer Nicole’s firsthand experiences. The situations encountered are so absurd that their real-world authenticity only amplifies the humor.

Nicole is incredibly engaging and likable, switching effortlessly between the different customers, colleagues, and situations she encounters. The main highlight of the show is that it is so painfully relatable for anyone who has ever worked in customer service, as you really see yourself up there: dealing with entitled customers and impossible requests while having to smile and remain polite regardless of how you’re being treated.

What starts as quite a light workplace comedy gradually becomes something much more meaningful about being overworked, underpaid, and undervalued. Throughout the performance, she plays her violin, which is a gorgeous addition to the show. It gives you a glimpse of Nicole outside the receptionist persona and makes the story feel much more personal.

The contrast between the chaos and comedy of the gym scenes and the sincerity of her playing works wonderfully, with the musical element feeling completely natural within the story rather than being added simply for entertainment. Funny on the surface, underneath it makes some really sharp observations about casual employment, sexism, class, people-pleasing, and how easily customer service workers can become invisible.

Casual Receptionist of the Quarter is playing until 31st August as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Bothie at Gilded Balloon Patter House.