A new theatrical production at London's Park Theatre is shedding light on the often-overlooked story of Lee Krasner, the accomplished painter who spent much of her lifetime being known simply as "Mrs. Jackson Pollock." The play, titled "Lee" and written by Cian Griffin, explores the complex relationship between artistic legacy, gender bias in the art world, and the personal struggles of a woman artist who made significant contributions to the post-expressionist movement of the 1950s United States.
Throughout art history, countless female artists have been dismissed or overshadowed by their relationships with famous male counterparts. Sculptor Camille Claudel was eclipsed by her association with Auguste Rodin, while photographer-painter Dora Maar became better known for her relationship with Pablo Picasso than for her own artistic achievements. Lee Krasner represents another tragic example of this pattern, despite being an integral part of the groundbreaking post-expressionist movement that transformed American art.
The play takes place thirteen years after Jackson Pollock's death in a car crash at age 44 while intoxicated. Griffin's production captures both Krasner's lingering resentment at being overshadowed and her enduring devotion to her late husband, while highlighting the toughness that allowed her to continue creating art despite living in his shadow. The intimate setting, designed by Ian Nicholas, features paintings wrapped around the walls of the auditorium, creating an immersive studio environment.
Helen Goldwyn delivers a powerfully "crabby" performance as Krasner, working in her studio when she's interrupted by Hank, a teenage delivery boy from the local Long Island grocery store played by Will Bagnall. Hank is an aspiring artist who initially claims he wants to show Krasner his portfolio, but his real purpose becomes clear when he produces an unsigned early painting by Pollock. The artwork was given to Hank's late father decades earlier in exchange for unpaid groceries, and he wants Krasner to authenticate it.
Under Jason Moore's direction, the play initially unfolds as a Socratic dialogue between the established artist and her young admirer. Their conversations explore fundamental questions about the purpose of art and Krasner's motivations for painting, while she dispenses wisdom and addresses the systematic absence of female artists in the traditional art canon. Although the early scenes contain some awkward exposition and biographical information, these elements gradually give way to a more affecting exploration of an artist's resilience and passion.
The production cleverly incorporates the ghost of Jackson Pollock, played by Tom Andrews, who occasionally appears on stage as either a memory or Krasner's critical inner voice. This spectral presence judges her work, mansplains artistic concepts, and engages in arguments with her. In one particularly humorous exchange, he criticizes changes she's made to their shared studio, saying "I hate what you've done with the place." The script doesn't shy away from addressing Pollock's alcoholism or mentioning his lover who was also in the fatal car crash but survived.
Despite the tensions and conflicts portrayed, the play successfully conveys the genuine love and artistic collaboration that existed between the couple, alongside their more openly hostile moments. The script suggests that Krasner played a crucial role in co-founding the famous drip technique that made Pollock internationally renowned, raising important questions about intellectual and creative theft within romantic partnerships. This central theme is handled in a way that is both succinct and subtle, avoiding heavy-handed messaging while still making its point clear.
The writing evolves into something more sophisticated as the play progresses, supported by performances that feel authentic and emotionally honest. Goldwyn is particularly compelling in her portrayal of an artist tormented by living in her celebrated husband's overwhelming shadow, yet continuing to paint simply because she cannot stop creating. Her performance captures the determination and artistic drive that sustained Krasner throughout her career, even when recognition was scarce.
The production runs at Park Theatre in London until October 18, offering audiences an opportunity to discover the story of a remarkable artist whose contributions to American art deserve recognition in their own right. Through its intimate setting and thoughtful exploration of artistic legacy, "Lee" provides both entertainment and education about the ongoing struggle for female artists to receive equal recognition in the art world.
