Whether it’s trying to find a dentist, imagining the worst possible lifeguards or finding the perfect flowers for a friend in need, the world of Balls of Fun presents life from a slightly wonky angle. Combining humour with poignant observation, expect a melting pot of wordplay where the mundane marries with the absurd to produce a show unlike anything else. Arancini consists of Helen Rice and Sarah Carratt, who are both experienced comedy writers / performers.

They formed in 2023 and took their show Balls of Fun to arts festivals in 2024 – nominated for ‘Best Comedy Show’ at Buxton Fringe. Helen, who performs as Helen Rice is Showing Off, writes quirky songs and poems exploring life’s essentials like grief and sex, drawing from her experiences as a bread-loving middle-aged disabled woman.

“Brilliantly quirky songs laced with quotable lyrics and rib-tickling comic asides delivered with an instantly amenable charm.” Stagefright (Nov 2023).

She has supported acts such as Tom Wrigglesworth, Justin Moorhouse, and Nathan Caton, and co-wrote, co-produced and starred in Sheffield’s legendary Fish Pie Cabaret.  Sarah is part of I’ll Have What She’s Having, a sketch comedy act dedicated to fostering opportunities for older female actors and writers.