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.
But 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 invites you on a journey through 3 acts, exploring themes of representation and pop culture with a nostalgia for the early 00’s, along with the hopes and dreams of 4 black female performers, all through a visual variety of devised theatre, dance and lip sync.
Nine Sixteenths joins theatre maker Paula Varjack with choreographer/maker Pauline Mayers, actress/director Endy McKay and choreographer Julienne Doko, for a cultural odyssey, to work out what happened and what is happening still…
Event details
When:
Mon 9 Feb 2026, 7:30 pm – Tue 10 Feb 2026, 8:50 pm
Format: In-person
Venue:
Tobacco Factory Theatres
Raleigh road, Southville
Bristol
BS3 1TF
England
Cost: £14
Access & inclusion
Event languages
- English
- British Sign Language (BSL)
This event includes BSL interpreters.
Access features
- Sign language interpreters
- Wheelchair access
- Hearing loop
More access info
To book a wheelchair space for the first time, contact the Box Office directly. They will be able to book you in. They will also update your account so you will be able to book your own wheelchair spaces in the future. Just log into your account. You will be able to see where the wheelchair spaces in the auditorium and will be able to buy it by clicking on the wheelchair symbol. They seat next to it will be marked with a star. This is a seat next to the wheelchair space that you can book for a companion. For help with your booking, contact the Box Office on tickets@tobaccofactorytheatres.com or call 0117 902 0344.
We are pleased to offer one free essential companion ticket for anyone who would benefit from the support of another person to attend and enjoy a performance. We do not require proof of disability to access this ticket, as we recognise that such requirements can be a barrier to access.
Organiser
Nine Sixteenths
