NINE SIXTEENTHS NEEDED A SHARPER ARTISTIC VISION AND MORE REFINED PRESENTATION

By Brookemorgan | @brookemorgan.co ⭐⭐ | Press Invite

I recently saw Nine Sixteenths at Brixton House and came away feeling a little disappointed, as I was excited to see the production. There are elements of this production that I thought were great, particularly its ambition and the clear passion behind it, but overall I felt the execution didn’t quite match the potential of the concept.

The standout moment for me was the “I’m Scared” section, which honestly felt strong enough to exist as its own separate production entirely. It was emotionally charged, atmospheric and beautifully performed. That sequence felt like a powerful space for black women to feel seen in their silent fears. It really captured the vulnerability, strength, and emotional complexity that can make up a lot of black women’s realities in the creative space. I found myself wishing the rest of the show had leaned more deeply into that tone and level of focus.

The choreography at the end was another major highlight. It finally felt as though the production fully came alive and the energy in those final moments was fantastic to watch. For me, Chia Phoenix absolutely carried the show. She never felt like someone simply playing a character; she truly embodied the different versions of the woman she was portraying across each era. There was a sincerity and commitment in her performance that grounded the entire production and made many of the emotional beats land successfully.

What held the show back for me was the staging and overall art direction. It didn’t feel fully fleshed out, and at times the production design came across as underdeveloped in comparison to the striking imagery used in the promotional material. The costume choices especially didn’t reflect the visual identity suggested by the flyer and I found the recurring use of red somewhat confusing rather than symbolic. As an audience member, it unfortunately gave the production a lower-budget feel than the material deserved.

I also felt the pacing needed tightening. Some scenes lingered too long while others rushed past moments that could have had greater emotional impact. I would have loved to see actual archival clips or multimedia incorporated rather than relying solely on reenactments from the cast.

That said, I truly admired the decision to create and cast a production centred around women over 40. There absolutely should be more theatre that celebrates performers and stories from that perspective. I just left feeling that Nine Sixteenths needed a sharper artistic vision and a more refined presentation to fully honour the spectacular legacy it was clearly inspired by.

Nine Sixteenths is running at Brixton House until Saturday 30 May.

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Photo Credit: Alex Brenner