Janet Jackson Superbowl show coming to Leeds
Nine Sixteenths, a show looking at the fallout from the infamous Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake ‘wardrobe malfunction’ incident at the 2004 Superbowl, is coming to Leeds' The Warehouse in Holbeck as part of an extensive national tour.
The show, from theatre maker Paula Varjack, uses the incident in an entertainingly fun way to examine how the media treatment of middle-aged women has changed since the turn of the century. It is performed by four 40+ women.
A spokesperson for the tour, which ends in London, said: "The incident saw Justin Timberlake expose Janet Jackson’s breast and nipple to a huge live TV audience for nine sixteenths of a second.
"It had a widespread impact which continues to this day and helped to popularise YouTube, then a struggling minority interest video-sharing site (millions used it to rewatch the incident)."
They added: "It’s a fast, fun and hugely entertaining show that doesn’t just deal with how black women are treated by the media but also our need for icons and positive role models, Paula's hopes and fears as a performer, and her and the other actors feelings about the challenges they face as older female performers."
It’s set in a world of mainstream pop culture, stadium concerts, TV studios using light, sound, music and dance - and its host venue and audience - to tell the story.
"It will leave you in no doubt of the pivotal role Jackson played in modern popular culture, paving the way for Britney Spears, Beyoncé, and Rhianna amongst many others.
"The incident caused a furore that impacted heavily on Jackson and undoubtedly damaged her career."
Her music was blacklisted, her 2004 Grammy Awards invitation revoked and plans for Jackson to star in a Hollywood film were abandoned.
Conversely Timberlake was welcomed at the Grammy’s and suffered little negative backlash.
Paula Varjack 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."
Nine Sixteenths features a cast of four black 40-plus women. Joining Varjack are Pauline Mayers (also Movement Director), acclaimed Copenhagen based choreographer Julienne Doko and RSC, National Theatre and performer, writer, director and creative arts activist/therapist/practitioner Chia Phoenix. It visits Slung Low, The Warehouse in Holbeck, Leeds LS11 9RQ, on May 9, 7.30pm.