It was an abstract idea that materialised when Oliver Foot and Andrew Simon met at the Drama Studio in 1968.
The name Foot was first referred to in the London Evening Standard when Oliver announced his marriage to Nancy Bruce.
To compound the situation Oliver's brother Paul, the investigative journalist with Private Eye, had been adamant that the family name should not be used.
Ian Watson of South West Arts, Alan Ayckbourn's biographer, said it was the best piece of theatre he'd experienced.
In 1991, the troupe bought a farm called "La Chaussée" in the Allier department of the Auvergne in Central France and have since based their work there.
"La Chaussée" is Footsbarn's production centre with studios, rehearsal spaces and offices.