Nine Sixteenths UK Tour – DERBY

Created by Nine Sixteenths

Inspired by Janet Jackson, Nine Sixteenths explores a pop culture moment that shook the world

Nine Sixteenths is fast, fun multimedia theatre, inspired by the media rise, fall and rise again of Janet Jackson.
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 00s, and the hopes and dreams of 4 black female performers through a visual variety of devised theatre, dance and lip sync.

The show contains integrated BSL.

Event details

When: Sat 14 Mar 2026, 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Format: In-person

Venue:
Derby Theatre
15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter
Derby DE1 2NF
United Kingdom

Cost: £15 - £17

Access & inclusion

This event includes BSL interpreters.

Access features

  • BSL interpreters
  • Wheelchair access

More access info

https://derbytheatre.co.uk/your-visit/accessibility/

Organiser

Nine Sixteenths

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