Leaving Vietnam

Jimmy Vandenberg, a decorated Vietnam war veteran, works alone in his garage, servicing the classic American cars of his youth, while struggling to forget the traumas of war. Abandoned by a nation still shamed by defeat, Trump’s call to ’Make America Great Again’ speaks to Jimmy’s anger and resentment - and he is hooked. His new-found politics drives a wedge between him and his wife, but a chance visit by the son of a fallen comrade makes him doubt his convictions and leads to a moment of understanding and redemption.

A moving new solo play about the legacy of a war that America wants to forget.

Born in Lincolnshire, Richard was a drama teacher
in the Yorkshire and Humber region for 30 years.
Writing highlights include: An Englishman’s
Home (24.7 Theatre Festival Manchester 2007),
As We Forgive Them (24.7 Manchester Evening
News nominee for Best New Play 2009), American
Justice (Arts Theatre, London’s West End 2013),
Pure (Mikron Theatre tour 2015-2016), Dancing
Through The Shadows (Hull Truck, 2015),
Dark Winter (Hull Truck 2018), Hunt the Tiger
(R&D, Cast Theatre, Doncaster, for Andy Jordan
Productions 2020), Missing You (audio drama
produced by Made in Manchester, featuring June
Brown in her final role 2020)