After a whirlwind of legal drama, Raygun: The Musical – a show about Australia’s Olympic breakdancing performer/meme Rachael Gunn is set to go ahead in 2025 under a new title.
The show by comedian Steph Broadbridge faced cancellation due to legal threats from the Olympian. It will now debut as Breaking The Musical: A Completely Legal Parody Musical with performances scheduled in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney from February to May 2025.
The controversy erupted when Gunn, also known as Raygun, claimed the original show misused her intellectual property and demanded $10,000 in legal costs.
The backlash was significant, with Gunn facing a wave of negative comments and social media vitriol.
Gunn rose to international fame during the 2024 Paris Olympics competing in the debut of breaking (breakdancing) as an Olympic sport, Gunn’s unique and unorthodox dance moves, including a kangaroo-inspired hop, quickly went viral.
Broadbridge issued an apology, expressing regret for any distress caused and clarifying that Gunn had no involvement in the production. The comedian emphasised that the new show would be based on public information and fictional storytelling, avoiding any direct use of Gunn’s name or likeness.
This incident has sparked a broader debate about the rights of artists to parody public figures and the potential chilling effect on creative expression. While Gunn’s legal team argued the need to protect her “brand”, critics have emphasised that parody is a fundamental aspect of free speech and should be safeguarded under Australian law.
The dates and venue for the Melbourne shows are still to be confirmed, but are expected in April.
