ACTOR Tim Evans is back in Hereford, the city where he grew up - and he wants to cause a stir.

Having studied drama at London's Central School of Speech and Drama, the 24-year-old cut his teeth on TV work.

But his new company, Ya Mama, aims to produce the kind of work that he, as an actor, wanted to work on and that he didn't feel was being made.

"It's very contemporary," he says. "I want to reach the crowd who might instinctively listen to r 'n' b and not sit in a studio theatre for two hours.

"The work that young people want to see in Hereford is put on by young people in Hereford.

"Theatre should not be about schoolchildren being frog-marched to see Shakespeare because a box needs to be ticked.

"I went to see the RSC do one of the Henry plays when I was at school and, as much as I love theatre, all I really took from it was the fact there was running water on stage.

"It's patronising when Shakespeare is aimed at youth - ideally it shouldn't alienate either young or older audiences."

Tim is a big fan of Mark Rylance's work at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.

"I want young people to realise that you can laugh at characters that you see every weekend when you're out."

Which leads us on to Ya Mama's first production, Crazy Gary's Mobile Disco.

Written in 2001 by Welsh playright Gary Owen, it's gained something of an underground following. "A cross between Alan Bennett and Steven Berkoff," Tim says.

Three characters express their frustration with life. Tim explains: "Crazy Gary has serious anger issues. He only ever refers to people as gimp or t*** and thinks everyone deserves 'a good kicking'.

"He can only express himself by violence and his saving grace is the perfect girl."

Matthew D Melody is a Christian cabaret singer who has also had a bad time. His only pleasures in life are singing and his girlfriend.

"It's best that he's kept away from cats and pigeons, but his accounts are all clear and he goes about his day in a God-fearing way," Tim says.

The third, Russell, is a guitar player and singer, and the most normal of the three.

"The kind of guy you see walking down the street 10 times a day," Tim says. "All are disaffected with their existence and are searching for a means to escape.

"Russell knows who he is, knows he's not happy and needs to get out, but with no real self-esteem or self-confidence finds it hard."

The humour is the sort that you laugh at without meaning to - exploring areas not permitted in polite conversation.

"Some people will be offended by it and others won't like this production, which is good," he says. "That doesn't happen enough in local theatre."

"The roots and causes of binge drinking and living somewhere that you want to escape from are so relevant to this city."

Tim will tackle all three parts himself - the first time he thinks the play has been presented that way.

And although his biggest wish is that young people go and see it, he wants older people to see it too. All except his gran.

You can catch Crazy Gary's Mobile Disco at the Powell Theatre, in Church Street, Hereford, from Tuesday to April 23.

Tickets will be available on the door at 7.30pm, from the Paperback Exchange, Hereford, and on 0781 8883620.