The cast introduce themselves using their real names, ages and a summary of their interesting careers: Pauline Mayers, multidisciplinary theatremaker and facilitator; Julienne Doko, dancer, choreographer and teacher, and Holistic Creative Arts Therapist, Chia Phoenix. The camaraderie between the four women is joyous, grounding Varjack’s storytelling in sisterhood and authenticity, with full BSL interpretation by Vinessa Brant and Cherie Gordon. It feels like she wants this to be about all of us. No woman left behind.
_Nine Sixteenths_ is endlessly entertaining whilst simultaneously addressing diversity, inclusivity and the raging double standards of the entertainment industry. Because although both Janet and Justin issued a public apology coining the phrase ‘wardrobe malfunction’, Timberlake’s career flourished while Jackson’s stalled. He attended the Grammys post-Nipplegate, she was notably absent. His music was everywhere, hers was banned from radio stations across the US. And if you don’t know the ending, it probably won’t surprise you that there were a small number of men calling the shots and making the money.
_Nine Sixteenths_ reminds us how a life and career can be knocked off course in the blink of an eye. The silver lining is how inspired Varjack was by the glitz, glamour and scale of those big half time shows. How she felt called to action by #justiceforjanet and what it means to remember and learn from it.
You won’t come away knowing for sure whether Nipplegate was a set-up, but you will leave with a supremely fresh take on what happened, who suffered and who profited.
At the end of Act III, when Varjack and co finally got their big _Rhythm Nation_ dance moment, we were left with just one burning question: what would Ms Jackson think of the show?
Someone book her a ticket immediately.
_Nine Sixteenths_ played at the [Nottingham Playhouse](https://nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk) on Friday March 20 2026.