Fancy a 1930s party? That’s what the Oxford Playhouse’s youth theatre company 16|22 will be recreating at the Rookery in Old Headington. It might well be the first time such a party has been held there too — Headington History’s magnificently-detailed website reveals that the Rookery actually had to fight for its very survival in the 1930s, when a firm of builders bought the site for redevelopment. But planning permission was refused, and the house lived on.

It was bought first by a retired master of University College, then became part of Ruskin College, which it remains today.

To and Fro is the name of 16|22’s show, and it’s been inspired by T S Eliot’s poem the Love Song of J Alfred Prufrock.

“A lot of it is reflecting the notion that Prufrock is stumbling through some pretty big questions about himself, and his place in this world,” Playhouse youth theatre director Jo Noble explained.

“There’s a general pull between principles and things to do with the flesh — it’s a to and fro between the rooms in the house, and a to and fro inside your head.”

We were talking during an extremely lively rehearsal in the Playhouse’s top floor studio. Three girls were trying to stand on a piece of paper all at the same time — it reminded me of one of those team-building exercises on management training courses.

“These are the Michelangelo women,” Jo laughed. “Their social status is that they are equivalent to hosts throwing a party to which the audience has been asked.

“The women’s passion in life is art, so it allows them to go to galleries together without their men. That makes them very happy indeed — it’s a really useful device for them to get out, and leave nanny to get on with the children.

“Quite often they will go up to a picture and seem to criticise it. But actually it’s two of the women talking about the third. There’s a lot in this work that is to do with deceit.

“The host’s family have a younger son, who is a bit of a Casanova. He flatters them, and dances with them — and, perhaps, more than that. Most of these characters have secrets.”

Watching from the sidelines, as he wasn’t in the scene being rehearsed, was 21-year-old actor Ned Ellison, who joined 16|22 last year, following auditions held at Oxford Brookes University. How, I asked, did he get involved?

“I wanted to do something outside of university that was drama-based — I’d done a lot of drama at school. It makes a change from seeing the same old faces that are on your course.

“In this show, I’m one of the café workers, although I might also be a journalist observing what is going on.”

Also from Brookes, but now working in the Playhouse bar two floors below the rehearsal studio, was Eliza Fraser, who is 20. With her bar experience, surely she would be a natural for handing the party champagne?

“I’m playing a fool actually, so I don’t think I’d be trusted with champagne,” Eliza laughed. “With my friend Jess, we’ve got to construct some sort of entertainment for the guests at the party — we’re not quite sure how it’s going to go yet.”

A sort of “refeend recitation” perhaps, I suggested.

“That’s the one,” Eliza replied, “Or maybe we’ll do some vaudeville-type dancing.”

It’s very much the buzz thing for regional theatres to become more accessible, and to present shows in new locations. But you only have to talk to Playhouse director Michelle Dickson for a couple of minutes to catch her missionary zeal for the idea.

“It’s really exciting to be able to take shows out of this building, and put them into more familiar places in the city and county. You can invite audiences into their local cafe or pub, or into a park. It demystifies theatre a little bit.”

It’s also very much a gleam in Michelle’s eye to develop more Oxford Playhouse productions, whether for outside locations, or for the theatre itself.

“Apart from To and Fro, at the moment we’re not in a position to be able to commission shows for Oxford,” Michelle explained. “That’s something I would love to do: make something for Oxford about Oxford.

“For the moment, we’re buying in shows, then finding suitable locations for them. We’re planning a show in the autumn, and just did recces of suitable pubs — it’s a varied life being director of a theatre!”

To and Fro runs at the Rookery, Old Headington, from Thursday, March 25, to Saturday, March 27. Tickets 01865 305305 or online at oxfordplayhouse.com