"Stephanie Broadbridge's Hilarious Comeback: A Comedian Takes on Raygun Lawyers!"

An Australian comedian has delivered an impressive response after facing legal action from Olympian Raygun's attorneys concerning a recently launched musical, showcasing their trademark wit and creativity amidst the controversy.

P24 News Media

December 07, 2024

1 minute

"Stephanie Broadbridge's Hilarious Comeback: A Comedian Takes on Raygun Lawyers!"

India

The management team representing Rachael Gunn has intervened to halt a musical inspired by the Olympian, prompting a comical reaction from the comedian slated to lead the performance.

Steph Broadbridge was set to unveil "Raygun the Musical" at the Kinselas venue in Sydney on Saturday night when Gunn's team took immediate steps to block the production.

The breakdancer gained significant attention following her viral performance as Raygun during the recent Paris Olympics. Since then, she has become the talk of the internet, inspiring a plethora of memes, Halloween costumes, and even festive decorations.

However, the proposed musical, which featured Gunn's iconic kangaroo dance silhouette on the promotional materials and was described as “a parody exploration of a breakdancer’s journey to the 2024 Paris Olympics,” crossed a line for her management team.

As a result, "Raygun the Musical" has been canceled, and Gunn’s attempts to trademark the kangaroo silhouette are now making headlines.

Broadbridge, the comedian at the center of this situation, shared her humorous take on the matter via an Instagram video. In a casual outfit complete with a cap and an Aussie tracksuit, she stated, “Hi, I’m comedian Steph Broadbridge, just hanging out in my casual daywear. My trial show tonight for Raygun the Musical has been canceled."

She continued, "Raygun’s lawyers reached out to the venue and threatened legal action, so we will be refunding everyone their $10 admission fee. It’s flattering that they’ve trademarked my poster—cheers to them for that!”

Broadbridge addressed concerns that her show might jeopardize Gunn’s brand, insisting, “I would never do that. She doesn’t need my assistance in that department.”

The comedian went on to poke fun at the restrictions imposed on her, particularly the prohibition against performing Gunn’s renowned kangaroo dance during her act. "They’re quite worried that people might think Rachael Gunn is involved with the musical. Just to clarify, she will not be part of the show," Broadbridge quipped. "I would, however, love for her to attend!"

She further expressed her disbelief over being barred from replicating the kangaroo dance, remarking, “How could I possibly pull that off without formal breakdancing training? That dance is Olympic-level stuff!”

In a bid to allay the concerns of Gunn's legal team, Broadbridge announced her plan to change the character’s name slightly, altering it to “Raygun with an I.” She humorously concluded that this adjustment should resolve any issues.

Born Bred Talent, the management group representing Gunn, emphasized their commitment to safeguarding her intellectual property rights. They explained that while they respect the creative efforts behind the show, it was crucial to protect Gunn's brand and the integrity of her work.

While Gunn’s efforts to trademark “Raygun” remain unsuccessful, her application for a trademark on the silhouette image of the kangaroo dance has reportedly been approved. The management team added, “This action isn’t about undermining others' contributions but about ensuring Rachael’s brand is properly represented moving forward.”

Broadbridge's Instagram post announcing the show’s cancellation cheekily suggested the situation had provided her with ample material for a reimagined performance, noting, “Tonight’s show has been canceled, but we’ll be back soon with a whole new story arc!”

Her post received considerable attention, with numerous comments from fellow comedians sharing in the humor of the situation. One comedian quipped about a “middle-aged white woman” not having a sense of humor, while another joked about the absurdity of someone pursuing a career in law only to send letters preventing dance performances.

This entire episode highlights the complexities of intellectual property rights in the entertainment industry and the often unexpected intersections between creativity and legal concerns.