 Williamson married Mary Alice Weir, a dancer, in 1899, and his partnership with Musgrove dissolved that year unpleasantly.Among other ventures, in 1900 Williamson leased Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne, and began a series of extensive renovations and expansions to the theatre that became the flagship venue for J. C. Williamson in years to come.He also leased Her Majesty's Theatre in Sydney, and in 1902 mounted the biggest production in its history, "Ben Hur", at a cost of £14,000.