Mint Editions-The Vicar of Bray

A reverend changes his religious affiliation to thwart the courtship of his daughter by a curate. The Vicar of Bray, by Sydney Grundy and Edward Solomon, was initially considered controversial due to its depiction of the church. It follows one man as he uses religion to exploit those around him. When a reverend disapproves of his daughter’s suitor, he manipulates the church in an effort to discourage their union and find a more favorable partner. It is a drastic decision that effects those inside and outside of the congregation. Rev. William Barlow is the leader of a Low Church, where his curate is a pompous young man named Henry Sandford. Despite his brash persona, Henry and Barlow’s daughter, Dorothy, have fallen in love. Barlow disapproves of the union and makes a sudden shift from Low Church to High Church, infuriating Henry. The young man resigns, making Dorothy available to Tommy Merton, whom her father considers a more suitable match. Barlow’s meddling leaves the church in disarray with multiple members reeling from the fallout. This comic opera debuted in 1882 but didn’t find its audience until nearly a decade later. With the story, Grundy and Solomon deliver a warning about the dangers of good intentions. The Vicar of Bray proves that every man, regardless of their station, is flawed. With an eye-catching new cover, and professionally typeset manuscript, this edition of The Vicar of Bray is both modern and readable.