SYNOPSIS
“Undercover” is about an extraordinary young woman, Libby McKenzie, who worked with vital, idealistic and ambitious Fred Burley. Burley was the Australian founder of the ladies underwear empire, ‘Berlei’.
Set in the period 1923 to 1927, “Undercover” shows Australia emerging from the sedate and gentle traditions of Edwardianism into the energetic twenties with all the extravagant elegance of the art deco era – flappers and fashion parades depicting the underworld of satin and silk.
Romance! Glamour! Excitement!
Burley reflected this dynamic age. He commissioned the Anthropometric Survey to find The Shape of The Australian Woman, then staged and designed a spectacular Big Show, “Radiant Woman”, to launch ambitious ranges of underwear in the opulent splendour of the Regent Theatre.
Burley believed the way to solve problems was for people to have confidence in themselves and their country. He was a founder of the Australian Made Preference league which sent the Great White Train on its historic promotional trail around Australia to promote things Australian.
“Its mood is a glamorous one enriched by a suave and quirky humour, and by the kind of informative spirit one might find in an upmarket colour supplement on a bit f Australian history.”
Financial review
Meaghan Morris, Film Critic
STARRING
- GENEVIEVE PICOT – Libby McKenzie
- JOHN WALTON – Fred Burley
- MICHAEL PARÉ – Max
- SANDY GORE – Nina
- PETER PHELPS – Theo
- WALLAS EATON – Lionel
- ANDREW SHARP – Arthur Burley
CREW
- DIRECTOR – David Stevens
- PRODUCER – David Elfick
- SCRIPTWRITER – Miranda Downes