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Extensive 2026 UK tour for show focusing on black female role models
Extensive 2026 UK tour for show focusing on black female role models
Nine Sixteenths is fast, fun multimedia theatre, inspired by the media rise, fall and rise again of Janet Jackson
At the 2004 Superbowl, Justin Timberlake exposed Janet Jackson’s breast and nipple to a huge live TV audience for nine sixteenths of a second. This brief moment derailed Jackson’s career for many years, while Timberlake’s thrived.
Nine Sixteenths unpacks the rise, fall and rise again of global pop superstar Jackson, and what this has to say about how black women are treated by the media. Created by artist/theatre-maker Paula Varjack, it explores coming of age in the 1990s and how hugely influential Jackson was, especially for young black women. It’s fast, fun and hugely entertaining – the venue and audience are transported to a world of stadium concerts and TV studios. It takes the audience on a journey, 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 multimedia look at iconic black female role models’ A Youngish Perspective
It amply demonstrates how Jackson helped shape our contemporary cultural landscape, paving the way for artists such as Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Rihanna – and shows how a struggling video-sharing site called YouTube started to attract clicks when it became the place to rewatch the incident!
After premiering with a two-week run at London’s Pleasance Theatre the show embarks on an extensive UK tour in Feb, March and May 2026 culminating in 10 days at London’s Brixton House.
‘not to be missed… its authenticity and intimacy make it truly worth experiencing’ Theatre&Tonic
Paula said ‘Janet Jackson was a tremendous icon to me at a time when I had relatively few black female artists to look to. She was a game changer in so many ways – and did it on her terms. After her ‘wardrobe malfunction’ the music industry let her down, in ways so effective that many thought her career faded away. Yet she kept working, making music and films. Now, finally, the injustice of what happened is being recognised. In the end, it’s the art that matters. As an iconic role model for many black women, and an outspoken ally for the lgbtqI+ community she made great art. The show also looks at why role models matter and the lack of older female role models of colour and the role that (largely) white male media executives play in deciding who thrives in mainstream pop culture’.
‘allows for the reclamation of the pride and power that Jackson held’ The Reviews Hub
Who was invested in the backlash, and became obsessed with blocking Jackson’s success? Who joked over her humiliation? How have all those involved profited since?
Nine Sixteenths is directed by Evening Standard Future Theatre Award Winner, RTST Peter Hall Award Shortlisted and twice JMK Award Shortlisted Emily Aboud. It features a cast of four black 40+ women. Joining Paula are Pauline Mayers (also Movement Director); acclaimed Copenhagen based choreographer Julienne Doko ; RSC, National Theatre and performer, writer, director and creative arts activist/therapist/
All tour dates feature British Sign Language by Jacqui Beckford and Vinessa Brant as an integral part of the production.
‘Endurance is my heritage, as a woman, and especially a black woman. I’m convinced that we black women possess a special, indestructible strength that allows us to not only get down but to get up, to get through and to get over’ Janet Jackson receiving the Soul Train award for Outstanding Career Achievement, March 2004
Paula is an entertaining, erudite, witty and incisive interviewee. Contact Steve Forster as above for availabilities, review tickets and images. Images can also be downloaded via www.sfppr.co.uk/downloads/
Nine Sixteenths
Inspired by Janet Jackson, created by Paula Varjack, a fast, fun, multimedia examination of iconic black female role models featuring the rise, fall and rise again of Janet Jackson.
Runs 60 mins. Age 14+ (advisory) Integrated BSL is part of this production.
Coventry 12 February 7.45pm
Warwick Arts Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7FD
Tickets £23 (£21, students £15) https://www.warwickartscentre.
Wolverhampton 13 February 7.30pm
Arena Theatre, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton, WV1 1SE
Tickets £15 (£12) https://arena.wlv.ac.uk 01902 321 321
Leicester 13 March 7 pm
Attenborough Arts Centre, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 7HA
Tickets £20 – £5 https://attenborougharts.com/ 0116 252 2455
Derby 14th March 7.30pm
Derby Theatre 15 Theatre Walk, St Peter’s Quarter, Derby DE1 2NF
Tickets £17, under 26 £15 https://derbytheatre.co.uk 01332 593939
Nottingham 20 March 7.45pm
Nottingham Playhouse
Tickets £15 https://nottinghamplayhouse.
