Paula Morel Papers

DATE: 1925-1990

LEVEL: Fonds

Collection of the personal papers of Paula Morel. The papers were accumulated through her various roles as model, dancer, actress, librarian, wardrobe mistress for Dartington College of Arts and prime mover in amateur dramatics on the estate. The records document her extensive involvement with activities at Dartington Hall including the School of Dance-Mime, the Chekhov Theatre Studio and the Playgoers' Society.

Correspondence with friends includes letters from: Dorothy and Leonard Elmhirst; Roger Morel; Mark Tobey; Louise Soelberg; Alan Rawsthorne; Bernard Leach; Maurice Browne; Whitney Straight; Jane (Sylvia) Fox-Strangways; and Margart Barr.

Additional material includes: photographs; 2 poems given to Paula by Tsemou Hsu (Hsu Chih-mo); reviews; programmes for dance, opera and theatre including amateur societies, professional societies and student groups; press cuttings; exhibition catalogues; local publications including the Dartington Voice, Dartington Hall News and South Devon Scene; Dartington Hall Reviews; play scripts; notebooks; cards; and postcards.

Paula Morel (1905-1996) first came to Dartington Hall in 1927 as Leonard and Dorothy Elmhirst's hosekeeper. Born Dorothy Carter, she changed her name to Paula to avoid confusion with Dorothy Elmhirst. She married Roger Morel, manager of the Dartington orchards and cider press. Prior to working at Dartington, Paula had been a model for the artist Eric Gill. During her time at Dartington, Paula studied modern dance with Margaret Barr and performed with her professionally in 1934. She also studied acting under Michael Chekov, appearing in many productions at the Barn Theatre and also in London. Paula contributed to many activities at Dartington Hall, she was Dartington's librarian, wardrobe mistress for the Dartington College of Arts, and in later years worked part-time as a flower arranger for the Elmhirst Centre. Paula was also a founding member and curator of the Devonshire Collection of Period Costume, Totnes.

Information for Researchers

All papers belonging to The Dartington Hall Trust Archive (with the exclusion of Dartington Hall School pupils individual records) are held at the Devon Record Office. All enquiries relating to research should be made to Devon Records Office, Great Moor House, Bittern Road, Sowton, Exeter, Devon EX2 7NL
+44 (0)1392 384253
+44 (0)1392 384256
devrec@devon.gov.uk
www.devon.gov.uk/record_office

The following requests should be made direct to the Archives & Records at The Dartington Hall Trust as shown below:
Copies of images as seen on The Dartington Hall Trust online catalogue with appropriate reference number (Ref No.)
Permission to publish or quote from any document held in the Dartington Hall Trust Archive
Former pupils of Dartington Hall School wishing to view their records
Archives & Records
The Dartington Hall Trust
Dartington Hall
Totnes TQ9 6EL
01803 847201
yvonne.widger@dartington.org