Nine Sixteenths at Brixton House, London

In the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, Justin Timberlake pulled at Janet Jackson's costume and exposed her breast on live television for nine sixteenths of a second. What followed wasn't a blip. It was a cultural earthquake. Janet Jackson's career was derailed while Timberlake walked away with barely a scratch. Nine Sixteenths, created by Paula Varjack and playing at Brixton House from 19 to 30 May 2026, pulls apart that moment and everything it reveals about fame, race, gender and who gets to tell the story.

Nine Sixteenths: Theatre, Dance and Lip Sync Combined

This isn't a documentary and it's not a lecture. Nine Sixteenths throws you headfirst into early-2000s nostalgia through a fizzing mix of live performance, choreography and lip sync. Devised by Paula Varjack alongside performers Pauline Mayers, Julienne Doko, Chia Phoenix and Endy McKay, the show centres the experiences and perspectives of Black women over 40, asking who was really invested in the backlash and why the fallout landed so unevenly. Developed with internationally renowned company Complicité and co-commissioned by Cambridge Junction, this is a piece that has been carefully shaped over time and arrives at Brixton House with serious creative pedigree behind it.

Nine Sixteenths Tickets, Prices and Performance Times

If you remember the moment, you probably remember the headlines. But you might not remember who paid the price. Nine Sixteenths reframes a pop culture flashpoint through sharp theatrical storytelling, inviting audiences to look again at the machinery behind public shaming. It's playful, politically charged and genuinely entertaining. The performance runs at Brixton House for just two weeks, with both matinee (2.30pm) and evening (7.30pm) performances available. Tickets start from just £18, with a Pay What You Feel performance on Tuesday 19 May at 7.30pm.

Brixton House Theatre, Brixton

Brixton House is a modern theatre in the heart of Brixton with a reputation for bold, community-rooted programming. Formerly known as Ovalhouse Theatre, the venue has an established international reputation for pioneering new and experimental work. It is easily accessible from Brixton station on the Victoria line, just a short walk from the theatre.

Book Nine Sixteenths Tickets

This is a limited run at one of South London's most vibrant venues. With a creative team that includes Complicité's influence and a story that feels more relevant than ever, Nine Sixteenths is the kind of show that sparks conversations long after the lights come up. Book your tickets on tickadoo and experience one of the most original pieces of theatre in London this spring.