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Theatre Fever is aiming to leave audiences hot and bothered. Marion McMullen finds out why the region's blazing art scene is super-cool.

Don’t panic if men in white coats approach you on the streets over the next few days with thermometers at the ready.

They just want to check if you have theatre fever as a two-week celebration of the theatre scene in the Midlands gets under way.

Theatre Fever will see shows in pubs, hairdressers and even a supermarket car park, as well as the normal theatre venues.

“Nationally as many people watch live theatre as attend English Premiership and Football League matches combined,” says Helen Stallard, of Theatre Fever.

“We will draw attention to this key part of the region’s economic and cultural life with a busy programme of shows by both established and emerging theatre companies.”

Theatre Fever starts next Saturday and will feature more than 30 shows across Birmingham, Coventry, Solihull and the Black Country, including eight special commissions.

Helen says: “The West Midlands has a thriving theatre scene, with many playwrights, producers and actors choosing to forge their careers in the region.”