Raygun and comedian resolve dispute over parody musical

Olympic breakdancer Rachael “Raygun” Gunn and Sydney comedian Steph Broadbridge have resolved their legal dispute over a parody musical inspired by Gunn’s career. The conflict began when Gunn’s lawyers challenged the use of her name and her iconic kangaroo pose from the Paris 2024 Olympics in promotional materials for Raygun the Musical. Broadbridge canceled the original production earlier this month, citing concerns over potential legal action.

In a video posted on Instagram, Gunn announced that both parties had reached an agreement, allowing Broadbridge to proceed with a reworked version titled Breaking The Musical. The new production shifts its focus to broader themes, including internet culture, the entertainment industry, and the aspirations of young Australians, while distancing itself from Gunn’s persona. "I'm really pleased to say we’ve resolved everything,” Gunn said, adding that she hopes to move past the controversy.

Broadbridge also took to Instagram to express her regret over any backlash Gunn faced, clarifying that it was never her intention to cause harm or mislead audiences into thinking the Olympian was involved. “The last thing I wanted was for anyone to experience hate or distress from this situation,” Broadbridge said. She described the revised production as a "completely legal parody musical" and unveiled a new poster featuring a silhouette of a dancing kangaroo, a nod to the original inspiration.

The dispute also affected Anthony Skinner, the original venue owner, who received a legal notice estimating $10,000 in potential costs. Gunn clarified that the figure was only an estimate of legal fees and that she never sought financial compensation, emphasizing that "it’s not about the money."

Despite the challenges, both Gunn and Broadbridge expressed relief over the resolution. Broadbridge announced plans to tour the new show in Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney, while Gunn reiterated her desire to leave the controversy behind and focus on the future.

(Sources: AFP, Inside the Games)