Plans for a musical detailing the ‘inspiring story’ of viral Olympic breakdancer Raygun have come crashing down.
Raygun – real name Rachael Gunn – gained plenty of attention while competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Her unique routine saw her hopping around like a kangaroo and writhing around on the floor like a snake however failed to pick up any points from the judges.
Although she did face backlash from some who called the performance ‘embarrassing’ the dancer was hailed as a ‘national icon’ by others and quickly became an overnight sensation.
It was also recently teased she might be one of the campmates on the next season of the Australian version of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
However, it seems she’s not happy with a comedian’s plans to pay tribute to her as well.
This week Sydney-based comedian Steph Broadbridge announced her Raygun: The Musical production had been canned.
The show, which had been described as ‘the inspiring story of a groundbreaking breakdancer and new global sensation’ had been due to debut on Saturday night.
But posting an update on social media just hours before, Steph said the premiere was no longer going ahead after lawyers acting on behalf of the Olympian claimed her name and notable kangaroo dance move were protected intellectual property.
‘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 (£5) or comp ticket back for that,’ she explained.
‘Her lawyers trademarked my poster which is flattering…I hope they do something fun with that. They were also worried that I was damaging her brand, which I would never do. She doesn’t need me to do that.
‘They were very concerned people would think she was affiliated with the musical. I want to assure everyone that she will not be part of the show but she’s very welcome to come and I would love her to see it.’
Steph went on to say lawyers said she ‘wasn’t allowed to do the dance because she owns the kangaroo dance’.
‘That one puzzles me because that’s an Olympic level dance. How would I possibly be able to do that without any formal breakdancing training,’ she sarcastically quipped.
Wrapping up the video, Steph joked she would ‘alleviate concerns’ by changing the name of the character in her show to ‘Raygun with an I’ instead.
Responding to the cancellation, people called it a ‘shame’, ‘absurd’ and ‘ridiculous’.
It was recently teased she might be appearing on I’m A Celebrity (Picture: AAP Image)
Despite the cancellation, Steph said she ‘would be back soon with a whole new story arc to add’.
Speaking to the ABC, Anthony Skinner, who runs the show’s promoter ID Comedy Club said intellectual property lawyers working for Gunn had threatened to take the production to court ‘tomorrow’ if the show wasn’t cancelled.
He said an offer to remove ‘infringing properties’, including the name Raygun and a silhouette pose of the breakdancer was not accepted.
Skinner also expressed his disappointment that the show would now no longer also be able to make its planned $500 (£250) donation in ticket sales to the Women and Girls Emergency Centre in Sydney because the tickets had to be refunded.
Metro has contacted representatives for Raygun for comment.
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