Nine Sixteenths is a collaborative, Black female-led theatre play that takes us through ’00s nostalgia and the media storm of Janet Jackson’s 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
With a series of vignettes and personal monologues written and performed by the ensemble, the 80-minute piece unpacks the ever-evolving female experience within celebrity culture and those working in the creative industry.
Nine Sixteenths – the play got its name from the fraction of a second it took to jeopardise Janet Jackson’s career for two decades – opens up with the cast individually introducing themselves. The creative collective is made up of Paula Varjack (writer), Chia Phoenix, Pauline Mayers, Julienne Doko, Vinessa Brant and Cherie Gordon, who are armed with a wealth of creative talents ranging from writer to dancer, healer to choreographer and BSL interpreter to creative advocate; immediately, I was inspired and felt myself opening up to more creative possibilities. I just loved this intimate and inclusive connection from the start, especially the integrated BSL (British Sign Language)
The premise for this play is based on Justin Timberlake ripping off Janet Jackson’s top in 2004 during the live broadcasting of the Super Bowl halftime finale. Timberlake was 23 at the time, and Jackson, whom many Black girls and women have always idolised, was 37. Performing at the Super Bowl was meant to be her biggest moment, especially as she had always been affiliated with the Jackson family, notably her brother Michael, but that moment became memorable for all the wrong reasons.
Admittedly, I am not a fan of celebrity culture, and I wondered why this particular incident that happened over 20 years ago in America warrants a play that has been touring around the UK since last year. However, its analysis, presented in three acts (INCIDENT, AFTERMATH and RECLAMATION), drew out painful, relatable themes of racism, ageism, sexism and misogynoir that Black women are navigating globally.
“I just loved this intimate and inclusive connection from the start, especially the integrated BSL”
Nine Sixteenths is a fascinating lesson in socio-politics, checking those of us who “don’t do politics”. The production uses multimedia and sound recordings of Janet Jackson‘s awkward interview on the David Letterman Show. The ensemble’s humorous reenactments of social media and entertainment moguls who carelessly toss about statements and ignite distasteful commentaries about the artist to dehumanise her make you realise that everything has to do with politics. We see how decisions in boardrooms, the small prints and the investments or sponsorships of big media companies trickle down to pop culture, memes and social media consumption.
It’s also worth saying that these boardrooms are filled with white, rich, powerful men pushing the narratives and monetising trends at the expense of women’s bodies and dignity. Although TikTok, Instagram and Facebook were not available at the time, that nine sixteenths of a second incident is still searched and watched today.
The first two acts (INCIDENT and AFTERMATH) are provocative and impressive, especially with how they’re packed with well-researched information and presented with good pace, humour and wonderful choreography that brings nostalgia. We all remember watching dance videos and copying choreography in our living rooms with friends. However, it’s the final act, RECLAMATION, that I found most appealing and enriching as a creative educator. Here, the women reconnect with the audience by sharing their fears as Black female creatives.
The performers’ transparency exposes every black woman’s silent battles with politics and the odds stacked against us. A couple of them revealed their fear of this performance being their last, although I doubt it very much. They also share their future creative dreams through movement and poetry, and that particular segment felt refreshing. The actors, who are all in their 40s, serve as a second wind to those of us who feel that their spotlight has dimmed. I just couldn’t resist the invitation to dream again.
NEED TO KNOW:
- Nine Sixteenth is playing at Brixton House until 30 May 2026 | See listing
- Brixton House New Season Announcement
