In 2004, in the Super Bowl 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 three acts, exploring themes of representation and pop culture with a nostalgia for the early 00’s, and the hopes and dreams of four black female performers through a visual variety of devised theatre, dance and lip sync.
“A fast, fun, multi-media look at iconic black female role models” – A Youngish Perspective
“Refreshing bold in its approach” – All That Dazzles
“Varjack’s work allows for the reclamation of the pride and power that Jackson held” – Reviews Hub
“This is not to be missed” – Theatre and Tonic
“Entertaining with an eye for prejudice” – British Theatre Guide
