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Nine Sixteenths

Fri 08 May 2026 8:00PM
  • Fri 08 May 2026
    8:00PM
    Aldridge Studio
    Tickets

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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 is supported by Complicitè, Brixton House, Cambridge Junction, Battersea Arts Centre, New Diorama, Pleasance, Proteus Theatre, Danish Arts Foundation and Arts Council England.
 
 

Reviews

“Varjack’s work allows for the reclamation of the pride and power that Jackson held”- Reviews Hub
“Nine Sixteenths is a fast, fun multimedia look at iconic black female role models.” - A Youngish Perspective

Additional Information

Age recommendation: 12+

Runtime: 80 minutes

Content Warning: Strong language and references to sexism and racism

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Post Show Discussion hosted by Kinaya Said Ibrahim

Kinaya Said Ibrahim is a creative Project Producer and artist manager working across music and the arts, specialising in artistic development, residencies, and R&D. Her practice sits at the intersection of music, community engagement, and cultural heritage, with a strong focus on experimental approaches to care and research, fostering collaborative spaces for artists to connect, experiment, and grow. 

Rooted in community-led creativity, Kinaya has a particular passion for politically charged electronic music grounded in Black sonic traditions. While music is her core specialism, she also works across film, heritage, dance, A/V and visual art. She has worked with organisations including See My World Festival, Brighter Sound, and Opera North, and collaborated with institutions such as the Ahmed Iqbal Ullah Race Centre,  esea contemporary and Southbank Centre. Kinaya is a PRS Power Up alumni year 5 and was selected for the Unsound Festival Lab Summer in 2025.

 

Credits

Lead Artist: Paula Varjack

Ensemble: Pauline Mayers, Endy McKay and Julienne Doko

Movement Director: Pauline Mayers

Dramaturg: Louise Orwin

Stage Manager: Aisha Kent

Marketing Manager: Cynthia Chika Franklin

PR: Steve Forster

Directorial Outside Eye: Emily Aboud

Lighting Design: Lucy Adams

Sound Design: AJ Turner

Design: Christine Ting

Photographer: Christa Holka

Graphic Design: Ben Gregory

Script consultant: Martin Bengtsson

Makeup Consultant: Jin Ong

Wardrobe: Amanda Earle

Creative Producer: Amy Merrigan

Producer: Beth Sitek

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