THE York company formed to "transcend the boundaries of modern theatre and perceptions of mental health" returns to York Theatre Royal's Studio from tomorrow until Thursday with More Tales From Kafka.

Based at York St John University and now run by Paul Birch, Out Of Character comprises people aged from their late-20s to mid-50s who use mental health services in York and emerged from theatre courses delivered by the university's theatre students and staff.

The course was set up by Dr Nick Rowe, a theatre-as-therapy lecturer at York St John, and Gemma Alldred, a National Health Service-funded education support worker. In July 2010, Out Of Character teamed up for the first time with the Theatre Royal, whose associate director, Juliet Forster, directed that year's original 50-minute Tales From Kafka.

Subsequently, the company worked on an extended version, devised from the works of Czech writer Franz Kafka, whose own mental health issues are writ large in his novels and short stories. "We did a lot of improvised work in the summer of 2013 for a new version that we devised for private performances at YorK St John," says Juliet.

"Now we've come back to it again, devising a few new bits and doing six weeks of rehearsals for public performances in the Studio, which is important as it gives a public voice to people who are marginalised. The work they create deserves this kind of airing."

The cast of 12 comprises five of the original cast, two who made their debut in Henry IV in May 2012 and five who have joined since then. "Those who did it before really enjoyed it and wanted to do it again, while the new members bring new voices and new ideas to the pieces," says Juliet.

Kafka's tales strike a chord with the Out Of Character performers. "Kafka suffered from crippling anxiety and depression, but was never diagnosed, but he would be now, so all his writing is suffused with the kind of experiences that many people with mental health issues go through. In his case, he can express so wonderfully the borderlines of human experience and give a fascinating form to those thoughts."

The recurring patterns and themes in Kafka's writing has enabled Juliet to give an an over-arching narrative to the tales, while each cast member has aligned with a particular character. "Kafka's work would then be fleshed out by their interpretation during the devising process," saysJuliet. "We've found that there's a pretty good match between what people have been through and how they connect with an individual role in the tales; there's something that rings true with each of them."

Juliet notes how youth theatre is often seen as a rehearsal for life and reckons the same could be said of Out Of Character's work. "People are prepared to come and watch them perform and so they feel valued," she says. "When people have mental health issues, they may stop relating to others, and it's often said we only know our identity when we're in relationships. Doing this play allows them to relate to others and grow."

More Tales From Kafka, York Theatre Royal Studio, tomorrow to Thursday, 7.45pm. Box office: 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk