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Raygun’s legal threat backfires as comedian announces new musical

The comedian at the centre of the Raygun musical storm has announced her latest move in a blow to the Olympian’s legal threats.

'Really sorry' Comedian apologises to Raygun

Rachael “Raygun” Gunn’s legal threat has backfired after the comedian at the centre of the storm announced a brand new musical would be coming to the stage.

Stephanie Broadbridge had her original creation, Raygun: The Musical, shut down after the Olympian’s legal team stepped in.

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The move sparked an online storm which only grew on Thursday when it was revealed the Sydney-based comedy club set to stage the musical had been hit with a legal letter demanding $10,000 to cover costs incurred by Gunn.

Despite the legal threats lingering overhead, Broadbridge has decided to push forward and has since rebranded the show, now titled Breaking: The Musical.

In a post to her Instagram account, the Australian comedian detailed the reason behind the change and revealed the cheeky new poster and name for the musical.

“I have a statement to make about Raygun: The Musical,” Broadbridge wrote.

“I acknowledge again, that I did not contact Raygun before I created the title and poster, which used the word Raygun and her silhouette.

“It was never my intention to mislead people into thinking that she was involved in the production.

The Raygun silhouette has been replaced by a kangaroo.
The Raygun silhouette has been replaced by a kangaroo.
That’s Raygun, not a kangaroo. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
That’s Raygun, not a kangaroo. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

“She is not and continues to not be attached to this project in any way. I have changed the name of the show and the silhouette and will not use her name or the silhouette ever again.

“I am deeply sorry to learn that Raygun has faced negative backlash as a result of the media attention around the cancellation of the preview for the musical. The last thing I wanted was for anyone to experience hate or distress from this situation.

“The show is a comedy show, it is based entirely on stuff I read on the internet.

“It is a fictional telling of a moment in Australian History. It is now called Breaking The Musical.”

Broadbridge’s musical is set to make its debut at Adelaide Fringe with three performances to be held at the Adelaide Town Hall in February and March.

The show will then hop on into Melbourne in April before bouncing to Sydney for the final shows in May.

Broadbridge is pushing ahead with the musical. (IMAGE AAP/Chris Pavlich)
Broadbridge is pushing ahead with the musical. (IMAGE AAP/Chris Pavlich)
Raygun spoke about the why she had the original musical shut down. Picture: Instagram
Raygun spoke about the why she had the original musical shut down. Picture: Instagram

The musical is being dubbed an “unauthorised (but completely legal) parody” of an Olympian’s journey to the Paris Games.

“The question on everyone’s lips is how did it happen? Breaking: The Musical sets out to answer the question through song,” a statement provided to news.com.au read.

“It is a parody and unauthorised (but completely legal) telling of an Australian Olympian’s journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics, written by Australian comedian and musician Stephanie Broadbridge.

“Based on the true story as it unfolded across the internet, it tells the inspiring story of a groundbreaking breakdancer and new Australian icon who defied the odds to represent Australia in a male-dominated sport.”

Raygun said she was blindsided by the musical. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Raygun said she was blindsided by the musical. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

In the wake of the original musical being cancelled, Broadbridge took to social media and delivered several tongue-in-cheek jabs over the demands.

“Hi I’m comedian Steph Broadbridge, just hanging out in my casual daywear,” she said while wearing an Australian tracksuit like the one Raygun wore during the Paris Games.

“My trial show tonight for Raygun the Musical has been cancelled. Raygun’s lawyers got in touch with the venue and threatened legal action so we will be refunding everyone their $10.

“They were worried that I was damaging her brand which I would never do … she doesn’t need me to do that.

“They also said I wasn’t allowed to do the dance because she owns the kangaroo dance.

“That’s an Olympic level dance … how would I possibly be able to do that without any formal breakdancing training?”

Comedian's hilarious response to Rachael Gunn's legal action

Gunn’s legal move comes after she detailed the reasons behind her legal team shutting down the musical.

In a video posted to Instagram earlier in the week, Gunn stated her decision to launch legal action was not a financial one.

“I have been contacted to go on just about every reality TV show out there and declined big money because I’m not about that,” she said.

“Remember, also, there is a person behind all this, with a family, with friends, and who, until a few months ago, nobody had even heard of.

“I’m really just trying to do my best to navigate this new chapter of my life.”

Raygun breaks her silence on Raygun The Musical

Gunn said she had trademarked her name and “famous kangaroo silhouette pose” to block third parties from snatching her fame for their own commercial purposes.

“Yes, I’ve trademarked my name and my now famous kangaroo silhouette pose, which is being used in just about every piece of Raygun merch out there, which I’m not profiting from by the way,” she said.

“And the reason we did that is because we were notified there were applications from other parties trying to trademark my name and image for commercial purposes. I mean totally wild.”

She also moved to clear the air by stating she was not laying claim to the kangaroo dance.

“It in no way mimics Aboriginal dance,” she said, adding the moves were inspired by Australia’s Olympic mascot BK, the boxing kangaroo.

“I wanted to represent and celebrate that spirit.”

Originally published as Raygun’s legal threat backfires as comedian announces new musical

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/olympics/rayguns-legal-threat-backfires-as-comedian-announces-new-musical/news-story/68edab01a46b9ed4ce7f167cf465de83