Panel Questions for The Executioner’s Sons
April 15, 2018 Event
1. Can you please give us an overview of the organization you each work with and how
you play a part in your organization’s over all mission?
2. Each of you tell us one thing that really resonated with you in this play.
3. At the very start of this script, we see Henry and Kate Tatersall discuss a few
different execution techniques. Dale, from your research and knowledge of the death
penalty in Virginia, what are some of the main techniques that have been used?
4. Dale, there is also discussion of executing innocent people. Kate believes that he
must be executing innocent people, but Henry has a hard time even believing that to
be possible. In the state of Virginia, how many innocent people have been put to
death row that we know of?
5. Rachel, from your experience, the man that was sentenced to death was not an
innocent man. However, from your perspective does that make it right or wrong?
And why?
6. Robert and Patrick, Henry Tatersall says he is a “victim of political nepotism.” With
the work that each of your organizations are doing currently, what are ways you all
are currently addressing such things in our community?
7. Crystal, when we are introduced to Henry and Kate’s children, Thomas and John, we
instantly here Henry tell his children a gruesome story about the execution of a
traitor. This can easily be compared to today’s youth seeing violence in video games
and television. What does science tell us about the effects of exposing kids at a
young age to such things? What is your professional opinion?
8. Crystal, we also see all of the children in this show play with “ol’ betsy” the ax that
helps Henry commit his executions. As a country that is in a heated discussion about
gun violence and gun rights, what are the pros and cons of allowing our youth to
learn how to use weapons properly from a psychological stand point?
9. Robert and Patrick- At some point Henry talks about not trusting Gloucester
(Richard III) and notices that he is working hard to move up the ranks to gain power.
From the work that both of your organizations are doing at the moment, what
initiatives do you both see as hindering others from gaining more power or helping
others gain more power? Also, what initiatives have been in response to power in our
social and political scene?
10. For the rest of you, We see Henry’s work affected by Gloucester who has power
and say on who he executes, how is your work affected by those in power in our
society today?
11. Gloucester makes sure to tell Henry that he got him the promotion to head
executioner right before he orders Henry to kill Hastings. Henry of course does what
he is told to do- Do you all think he would have made a different decision if he had
not known Gloucester got him the promotion?
12.Do you think we as a society are allowing things to happen that aren’t great or even
morally wrong because there is fear of losing one’s job or other consequences, which
affects one’s about ability to survive? We see Henry start suppress what he knows or
sees is going on and it results in him drinking more and treating his family
differently. Do we see this on a large scale in our own society?
13. Robert- When the children get sick, Henry and Kate do not have access to the
Royal physician to get better care for their children? How does this connect to our
country’s current health care situation and how is Virginia Organizing working to
combat this?
14.What do you all think is the most important message from this play that connects
most with our current situation with our country and local community?
15.What would you like those in power in our society to do for you all and the work that
you do?
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