‘Raygun the Musical’ Premiere Cancelled Following Legal Threats

B-Girl Raygun of Team Australia competes during the B-Girls Round Robin - Group B on day 14 of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, on Aug. 9, 2024. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

After the lawyers of Australian Olympic breakdancer Raygun threatened legal action, the trial show for “Raygun: the Musical” has been axed.

The 36-year-old university lecturer, Rachael Gunn, known competitively as Raygun, went viral on Aug. 9 for losing all her round-robin battles by a combined score of 54-0 in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Gunn received widespread criticism for her decision to perform original moves, which some have named after Australian animals such as the kangaroo, instead of standard breakdancing moves.

Following the performance, the Australian comedian Steph Broadbridge wrote a parody exploration of the journey of a breakdancer to the 2024 Olympics titled “Raygun: the Musical.” However, legal threats cancelled its Sydney premiere on Nov. 7.

“Raygun’s lawyers got in touch with the venue and threatened legal action, so we will be refunding everyone their  $10 [US$6.40] or comp ticket back for that,” Broadbridge said on social media.

Legal Concerns

Broadbridge said that Gunn’s lawyers expressed concerns that her show might harm Raygun’s brand or lead to the misconception that Gunn was associated with the musical.

However, she clarified that she would never intentionally damage Gunn’s brand and quipped that Gunn didn’t need her help to do so.

“I want to assure everyone, she will not be part of the show,” she said. “She’s very welcome to come. I would love for her to see it.”

Additionally, Broadbridge said the lawyers told her she wasn’t allowed to do the kangaroo dance because it is the property of Raygun.

“That one did puzzle me. That’s an olympic level dance. How would I possibly be able to do that without any formal break dancing training?”

Promoter Comments

Anthony Skinner, owner of the show’s promoter iD Comedy Club, told the ABC that an offer to remove infringing properties, including her name and silhouette pose, did not appease Gunn’s lawyers.

Skinner also said the production would no longer be making a $500 donation in ticket sales to the Sydney Women and Girls Emergency Centre as tickets had to be refunded.

He said he did not know why Gunn wanted the show cancelled.

“It ends up with her being a hero, which is obviously ruined.”

However, Broadbridge said the musical will be back soon with a new story arc.

To alleviate the concerns of Raygun’s lawyers, she will be changing the name of the character to Raygun with an I.

“I hope that fixes everyone’s concerns,” she said.