Company History

Origin Scenic Studios Pty Ltd is a Melbourne based company and has been trading for over 40 years.

Born from the world famous J.C. Williamson's Theatre Company, Ross Turner and Paul Kathner started Scenic Studios Pty Ltd to continue to service the theatre industry.

This has been expanded and we have achieved our vision of a 'one stop' full service that encompasses our unique abilities. The Company now comprises three divisions - Art, Paint and Hire.

With the expertise of these divisions we are able to offer our clients a full range of services that cater specifically to the theatre, exhibition, display, convention and museum and television industries.

A new Life In 1976, the JCW fantasy came to an end: the company was sold to a consortium.

By this time, Williamson's wonders had come to be seen as old-fashioned, and could no longer compete with the realism and melodrama provided by TV and the movies.

The company closed, and its treasure trove of sets and scenery — all stored in two large warehouses in Sydney and Melbourne — was lost.

At that time, Paul Kathner and his friend Ross Turner were both working in the company's scenery division.

The two young men formed Scenic Studios — to continue making intricate scenery, which was still required by the traditional ballet and opera companies.

To aid their work, they rescued JCW's scene books from the tip. The books, now placed online by Theatre Heritage Australia, give us a tantalising view of JCW and the golden age of live entertainment.

Still Going Strong Brendan Pierce took over Scenic Studios since the official retirement of Ross Turner in early 2016.

Brendan continues the tradition of scenic painting that Ross and Paul taught him over 25 years when he was under their wing.

He has a passionate young team along side of him that assists him producing quality work for major productions.

Call 03 9484 3422 to speak with someone for more information or Contact us though our online form.

iconic State Theatre Curtain The State Theatre Curtain is a valued piece within the Australian Performing Arts Collection and is the only working object in the Collection.

Originally designed by Graham Bennett and commissioned by John Truscott, the concept of the curtain design is of a lyre bird’s tail accompanied by Australian flora and fauna.

The curtain design came to life through the careful work of specialist painters at Scenic Studios in 1984 – and one of those painters was Kevin Pierce.