The breakdancer threatened to take an Australian comedian to court for creating a show about her life without her consent
A comedian has been forced to axe her musical based on the life of Raygun, as the breakdancer’s reps claim the decision will ensure her ‘brand remains strong and respected’.
For those of you who don’t know Dr Rachael Gunn, better known by her stage name Raygun, she was selected to represent Australia in breakdancing at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
No, she didn’t pick up her doctorate in the sport but as a lecturer in the Department of Media, Communications, Creative Arts, Language and Literature at Macquarie University Faculty of Arts, Sydney.
Her performance was hailed as ‘hilariously ridiculous’ by viewers, with her act involving jumping like a kangaroo and slithering like a snake, and the Australian competitor went on to receive a score of zero from the judges.
After her face became recognized across the globe, Raygun appeared on the Jimmy & Nath Show on November 5 and reflected back on the experience.
She then announced that she’s decided to stop breakdancing competitively.
Raygun said: “I’d still break, but I’m not going to compete anymore. I was going to keep competing, for sure, but that seems really difficult thing for me to do now, to approach a battle … I mean, I still dance and I still break but, that’s like in my living room with my partner.”
Although she confirmed she isn’t retiring from dancing, she’s not going to participate in another elite competition again.
Her story encouraged the Aussie comedian Steph Broadbridge, who created Raygun: The Musical that was scheduled to debut in Sydney this month but it has been pulled after Raygun’s team sent several letters to iD Comedy Club, the show’s promoter, threatening legal action if they went through with the performance.
Now, Gunn’s legal team have issued the following statement: “While we have immense respect for the credible work and effort that has gone into the development of the show, we must take necessary steps to safeguard Rachael’s creative rights and the integrity of her work.
“This action is not intended to diminish the contributions of others, but rather to ensure her brand is properly represented and protected in all future endeavours.”
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They went on to explain how a trademark application for the name ‘Raygun’ was currently under review – and they believe it will be accepted.
“The use of the ‘Raygun’ name by a comedian without approval has caused confusion among the public, potentially leading them to believe that ‘Raygun The Musical’ had Rachael’s endorsement or approval,” they said.
“This misuse of intellectual property is not only misleading but also jeopardises Rachael’s other commercial ventures, which rely on the integrity of her brand.”
