Nine Sixteenths – A Powerful Exploration of Pop Culture, Media, and Representation
Nine Sixteenths, created by artist and theatre-maker Paula Varjack, is a dynamic and thought-provoking performance that examines one of the most controversial moments in modern pop culture and the wider conversations it sparked.
During the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, a fleeting incident lasting just nine-sixteenths of a second led to years of backlash for global pop superstar Janet Jackson. While her career was significantly affected, the reaction to the event also exposed deeper questions about media narratives, race, gender, and the ways Black women are represented and judged in the public eye.
This fast-paced and visually engaging production explores Jackson’s rise, fall, and resurgence, while reflecting on her immense cultural influence—particularly for young Black women growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s. Through a blend of devised theatre, dance, and lip-sync performance, the show brings audiences into a world of stadium concerts, television studios, and the vibrant energy of pop culture at the turn of the millennium.
Performed by four Black female artists, Nine Sixteenths is both entertaining and reflective, weaving together themes of identity, representation, nostalgia, and aspiration. It captures not only the impact of a single moment in history, but also the dreams, creativity, and resilience of performers navigating the world of media and entertainment.
Running time: Approximately 1 hour
Age recommendation: 14+
