The Secret of the Old Clock: Nancy Drew’s Original Mystery

With Kristen Caldwell

What inspired you to write this adaptation?

My mom was a big reader of Nancy Drew stories as a kid. She is strong, smart, generous, and compassionate just like Nancy. As soon as I read the 1930 novel, I knew why my mom loved her and I wanted to bring that version of Nancy to life on stage. 

What's your favorite part or line in the play?  Why? 

My favorite scenes are probably Nancy’s two short monologues because they both humanize her in different ways. She can seem so driven and determined, but Nancy also has a vulnerable side. In her monologue that takes place at Moon Lake Camp for Girls, Nancy has a humorous monologue about how her determination gets her in too deep... literally. I enjoyed writing this part of the script because I loved imagining how Nancy has this other really funny side to her personality. We also get a new perspective on Nancy and Helen’s sisterly friendship in that scene. With such a light-hearted story, it was a natural fit and so fun to dream up!

What was the most difficult part in writing the adaptation?

The novel is so fast-paced that it took a few tries to find the best tempo for each scene. I wanted the timing of the play to feel like the book. Young readers have loved this Nancy Drew mystery for over 90 years because they get to move quickly through the snappy plot while collecting clues. I wanted to put just the right amount of detail into each scene to keep things driving forward.

What did you try to achieve with this show?

The Secret of the Old Clock: Nancy Drew’s Original mystery is a revival of the 1930 Nancy Drew character. When Mildred Wirt Benson, writing as Carolyn Keene, first wrote The Secret of the Old Clock, it was at the beginning of the Great Depression. The stock market had just crashed. Women’s suffrage had just been granted a decade before, and women were finally expressing their right to vote. Women of the 1930s would have seen their mothers contributing to the home front during the Great War. Flappers epitomized the idea of female independence during the 1920s. It was from this collective consciousness that the girl detective, Nancy Drew, emerged. She is brave and independent. She drives and cares for her own automobile. She is willing to ask for help, but never asks for permission on her journey to find the truth and help the underdog. This 1930 Nancy is disgusted by unfairness and greed. She has self-doubts, and she gets discouraged. She also makes no secret that part of her love of sleuthing stems from her own intellectual curiosity and her determination to fix a broken, unfair system. With this show, I wanted to give this hero back to the world by bringing her to the stage. I’m excited for every young woman who gets to portray Nancy Drew on stage and I truly hope she inspires audiences full of young people to be more like her. 

Do you have anything else you'd like to add?

I want to thank the middle and high school drama students at Portland Christian Jr/Sr High School who brought these characters and ideas to life on stage for the first time. I think the characters in this play are both accessible and challenging to play and they can be played by a wide range of ages. The original cast and crew were all aged under 18 years, but they were and continue to be wise beyond their years. I challenge educators and directors who work with young people to become collaborators with their young actors and technicians. In my experience they are the greatest resource we have! I truly hope you love the script.