Have you got an unanswered Shakespeare question? No matter who you ask, you just can't find the answer? Well, now with our new regular series of expert interviews, you can study Shakespeare in more depth than ever before.

Professor Kate McLuskie, director of the world renowned Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, has bravely agreed to take your questions. The topic is “Shakespeare and Women”, so if you haven’t decided whether Shakespeare was a feminist or a misogynist, now’s your time to ask a leading expert.

If you’ve got a burning question for Professor McLuskie, then please post a comment. Selected questions will be answered in early December.

In the Sunday Telegraph (23 November), a survey of over 300 actors, writers, directors and producers declared Hamlet to be Shakespeare’s greatest play, followed closely by A Midsummer Night’s Dream and King Lear. Hamlet also came out on top in the favorite hero category.

Personally, my favorite tragedy is Macbeth and I was saddened to see that this play ranked fourth with only 9% of the votes. I was also shocked to see Much Ado About Nothing, surely one of Shakespeare’s most enjoyable plays, only receiving 5%.

So, what is it about Hamlet that is so enduring?

Certainly, Hamlet is Shakespeare’s most psychologically complex character, balancing grief and affection so perfectly – as the critic James Agate once said, “Hamlet must make us cry one minute and shudder the next”.

Something tells me that Hamlet may be a favorite from the point of view of the actor or director, but not necessarily from the point of view of the audience – Watching Hamlet, I always find myself wanting to scream, “Just get on with it, man!” at the top of my voice.

The actors and directors have voted and now it’s your turn. Vote on your favorite Shakespeare tragedy and let your voice be heard on About.com.

History has a habit of repeating itself. The building preparations for a new theater in Shoreditch, East London, have revealed the remains of the Globe Theater’s predecessor.

This is an important find because many of Shakespeare’s early plays would have been performed there, including Romeo and Juliet, Richard III, A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Merchant of Venice.

But what’s the story behind this newly discovered theater and how does the Globe fit into all this?

Well, Shakespeare worked for the Burbage family’s theater company, who owned a theater building in Shoreditch (simply called The Theatre). After many successful years, they ran into trouble when the lease on the land expired. The Burbage family was soon locked into a tenancy dispute and the landowner threatened to pull the building down.

In 1598, the Burbage family rallied together a group of friends and stole the entire building! Remarkable, but true. They quickly dismantled the theater during the night, rowed the timber across the Thames, and reconstructed it on the other side of the river. This “new” theater reopened as the famous Globe. So what has actually been discovered is the original site of the Globe Theater building.

Although the Burbage family was accused of stealing the building, they claimed that they were the rightful owners because only the land was in dispute.

I think it’s an amazing coincidence that a new theater for the 21st century will be built on the site of one of London’s first permanent theaters – a real case of history repeating itself. I also hope that they will preserve the remains for all to see.

Photo © English School / Getty Images

I can’t remember a time when there was this much excitement about Shakespeare. The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon has been packed to the rafters night after night since David Tennant opened as Hamlet in July. It’s nearly impossible to get tickets, and the few that are available are changing hands for hundreds of pounds on eBay.

Although the play has opened to well-deserved critical acclaim, something more important is happening. The combination of David Tennant (from Doctor Who) and Patrick Stewart (from Star Trek) is attracting people to Shakespeare for the first time.

I took time out to speak with the lucky few who managed to get tickets for the opening week (my disgruntled self not included), and found adults visiting the theater for the first time and Shakespeare-hating teenagers enthusing about the show.

The RSC has created a momentous event by wisely casting two of the UK’s leading actors in Shakespeare’s longest play. Something fantastic is happening – I just hope that the scuffles between Doctor Who and Star Trek fans don’t get out of control.

Have you seen the show? Has it changed your mind about Shakespeare, or do you just think the RSC is full of ardent sci-fi fans? What’s your take?

Image © Dave Benett / Getty Images