By Kayla Olaya
Olympic breaker Rachael Gunn, better known as Raygun, has defended a decision to issue legal threats that forced a comedian to cancel her show inspired by Gunn.
Australian comedian Steph Broadbridge was due to debut Raygun: The Musical at Kinselas in Sydney’s Darlinghurst last Saturday evening before performances scheduled for 2025 at comedy festivals in Sydney, Melbourne and Edinburgh.
Rachael Gunn was the inspiration for Raygun: The Musical.Credit: Dominic Lorrimer
She canned it after Gunn’s lawyers sent several letters to the show’s promoter, iD Comedy Club, asking it to cancel the show and not use the name “Raygun” or the Olympian’s now famous “kangaroo dance”, as both were Gunn’s intellectual property.
In a video posted to Instagram on Friday afternoon, Gunn told followers: “People assumed that we had developed [the show], that we had approved it. And it damaged many relationships, both personal and professional. That is why my management and legal team had to work so quickly to shut the musical down.
“It was really unfortunate that the show had to be cancelled so close to the launch. I know the artist would have put a lot of work into and that really sucks. But, had we known about it sooner, there could have been a different outcome.”
Gunn said the action was not a reflection of her being unable to handle a joke and that she had moved to trademark her name and pose because other parties were attempting to trademark them.
Comedian Stephanie Broadbridge wrote and was set to star in Raygun: The Musical.Credit: Dylan Coker
“I want to take a moment to correct the misinformation. Yes, I have trademarked my name and my now-famous kangaroo silhouette pose, which is being used in just about every Raygun merch out there. Which I’m not profiting off of, by the way,” she said.
Contacted for comment, performer Stephanie Broadbridge said she had nothing to add.
A lot of the blow-back Gunn faced after the show was cancelled came from claims that the trademarking was culturally profiting off Indigenous culture, which she also addressed.
“In terms of the kangaroo dance, I did not trademark it or claim any trademark ownership of the kangaroo dance, and it in no way mimics Aboriginal dance. It was instead inspired by the Australian Olympic mascot, BK, the boxing kangaroo, and I wanted to represent and celebrate that spirit,” said Gunn.
“I know that this misinformation about the kangaroo dance has upset many members of the Indigenous community, and I am sorry for that. I’m really sorry that it hasn’t been corrected sooner. I have the utmost respect for Indigenous Australians, who are a part of the oldest, continuous, living culture on the planet.”
Gunn said in her video: “I really do strive to support creativity and have loved the ways that my performance has sparked so many different artistic interpretations. And there were so many fantastic memes that were clever and funny and creative. I have a whole folder on them on my phone.”
The Booklist is a weekly newsletter for book lovers from Jason Steger. Get it delivered every Friday.