Janet Jackson Focussed Show Coming to Leeds in May

Remember the 2004 Superbowl? For many, it’s not the American football that comes to mind, but a single, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment during the halftime show. For exactly nine-sixteenths of a second, a performance by Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson became one of the most talked-about events in pop culture history. Now, a brilliant new theatre show called Nine Sixteenths is taking a fresh look at that moment, exploring the massive fallout and what it says about how we treat our stars, especially black women. It’s a fast, fun, multimedia show that’s hitting stages across the UK, including Leeds, and it’s asking some big questions through the lens of one of pop’s biggest icons.

A moment that changed pop culture forever

Let’s be honest, the story is pretty wild when you look back. During their performance, Justin Timberlake ripped a piece of Janet Jackson’s costume, exposing her breast on live television to an audience of millions. The media immediately went into a frenzy, labelling it a "wardrobe malfunction." But what happened next was anything but accidental. Janet Jackson, a global superstar and a trailblazer for artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna, faced a brutal backlash. Her music was pulled from radio and TV stations, her invitation to the Grammy Awards was revoked, and a major film role she was set to star in was scrapped. Her career was seriously damaged for years.

And Justin Timberlake? He was welcomed at the Grammys that same year, his career went from strength to strength, and he suffered almost no negative consequences. The double standard was glaring. The whole thing had a ripple effect that we still feel today. In a funny twist of fate, the incident actually helped a little-known video-sharing website called YouTube find its feet. Millions of people, desperate to rewatch the clip, flocked to the site, helping it become the giant it is today. So, in a way, that nine-sixteenths of a second didn’t just nearly end a career; it helped start a digital revolution.

More than just a history lesson

But the show, Nine Sixteenths, is about so much more than just what happened on that stage. Created by the talented artist and theatre-maker Paula Varjack, it uses the incident as a starting point to explore some really important stuff. It’s a journey back to the 90s and early 2000s, looking at how influential Janet Jackson was, particularly for young black women who saw a powerful, creative force doing things on her own terms.

The show asks why role models are so important and questions the lack of older female role models of colour in the mainstream media. It puts a spotlight on how the industry, often run by a small group of people, gets to decide who succeeds and who gets cast aside. Paula Varjack herself has a deep personal connection to the story.

‘Janet Jackson was a tremendous icon to me at a time when I had relatively few black female artists to look to,’ she said. ‘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’.

A powerhouse cast and creative team

This isn’t a quiet, sit-down-and-listen kind of show. It’s described as hugely entertaining, transporting the audience into a world of stadium concerts and TV studios with devised theatre, dance, and lip-syncing. It’s performed by a fantastic cast of four black women over 40. Joining Paula Varjack on stage are Pauline Mayers (who is also the Movement Director), acclaimed choreographer Julienne Doko, and Chia Phoenix, who has worked with the RSC and National Theatre.

The show is directed by Emily Aboud, an award-winning director, with sound design by Alicia Jane Turner. What’s also brilliant is that every single performance on the tour features integrated British Sign Language by Jacqui Beckford and Vinessa Brant, making it accessible for Deaf audiences. It shows a real commitment to making theatre for everyone. The whole thing is a celebration of resilience, art, and the power of icons who refuse to be silenced.

Catch the show on its UK tour

After a successful run in London, Nine Sixteenths is now on an extensive UK tour throughout February, March, and May 2026. There are lots of opportunities to see it, from Bristol to Leeds and many places in between, including .

Here are all the dates and locations where you can catch this must-see show:

• Bristol: 9, 10 February at Tobacco Factory Theatres

• Coventry: 12 February at Warwick Arts Centre

• Wolverhampton: 13 February at Arena Theatre

• Basingstoke: 18 February at Proteus Creation Space, Council Road, Basingstoke, Hampshire

• Norwich: 22 February at Norwich Arts Centre

• Cambridge: 24, 25 February at Cambridge Junction

• Chichester: 26 February at Showroom

• Reading: 11 March at South Street Arts Centre

• Leicester: 13 March at Attenborough Arts Centre

• Derby: 14 March at Derby Theatre

• Brighton: 17 March at The Old Market

• Colchester: 18 March at Colchester Arts Centre

• Oxford: 19 March at Old Fire Station

• Nottingham: 20 March at Nottingham Playhouse

• Salisbury: 21 March at Salisbury Arts Centre

• Exeter: 5 May at Phoenix

• Salford: 8 May at Lowry

• Leeds: 9 May at Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck

• London: 19-23 May & 27-28 May at Brixton House

Whether you remember the incident vividly or are just hearing the details for the first time, Nine Sixteenths promises a night of entertainment that also makes you think. It's a show about pop culture, power, and the enduring legacy of an icon. It’s a story of injustice, but also a celebration of strength, as summed up perfectly by Janet Jackson herself back in March 2004: ‘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.’