Nine Sixteenths by Paula Varjack
Journey through ’00s nostalgia through the media storm of Janet Jackson’s 2004 SuperBowl halftime show
👋 The show contains integrated BSL with Cherie Gordon & Vinessa Brant 👋
Inspired by Janet Jackson, created by Paula Varjack, Nine Sixteenths uncovers the truth behind the media moguls who took down Janet Jackson’s career after the 2004 Super Bowl performance – exploring the treatment of Black women in the public eye, dealing with themes of feminism, race, 2000s pop culture and the aspirations of a cast of five Black women.
In 2004, in the SuperBowl halftime show finale, 23 year old Justin Timberlake ripped off 37 year old Janet Jackson’s top. Her breast was exposed on screen for Nine Sixteenths of a second. A pop icon and role model for many black women, and an outspoken ally for the LGBTQ+ community, the moment derailed Jackson’s career for many years, while Timberlake’s thrived.
Who was invested in the backlash? What does all this have to say about the demographics of who controls the media, and the ways in which black women are scrutinised in the public eye?
From THE MALFUNCTION to THE AFTERMATH and a celebration of RECLAMATION, Nine Sixteenths is a journey through 3 acts, exploring themes of representation and pop culture with a nostalgia for the early 00’s, and the hopes and dreams of 5 black female performers through a visual variety of devised theatre, dance and lip sync.
10 Shows:
Wed 20 May- Sat 30 May 7:30PM (+ Sat Matinees 2:30pm)
70min
Age: 12+
BSL is provided at every venue.
