I took my children to see ‘War Horse’ at the WMC in Cardiff Bay the other day. Walking out, my wrung out son said, “I feel like I have been through every human emotion.”

My daughter simply said, “Wow”. It struck me right there, that in those two comments are the very nub of why I have always been passionate about live performances.

The breadth and depth of emotion you can experience when a show is live feels more immersive and immediate than almost any other artistic medium I can think of. Yes, often a show is rehearsed, but in the moment that you are there, with the performers, you are part of something completely new and unique being formed.

Each performance may only be subtlety different, but you and your reaction, add to its development, help mould it, shape it and set the rhythm. You are part of the creation in a way that I don’t think you are when you watch a film, read a book or look at a piece of art, as phenomenal as those experiences can still be, but in a different way.

Theatre is my first love, but also enjoy dance, comedy and live music. I don’t remember my first play, but I recall my daughter's, we were in the front row for Peppa Pig Live (or some sort of similar title – it was definitely Peppa). She clapped, giggled, danced and I hope in that moment started to fall in love with the wonder of theatre. My mum took me often as a child and I am so pleased to be able to pass on this joy to my children.

I realise in this that I am extremely fortunate. I say fortunate because often it can be pricey and I am mindful of that. I wish more would and could be done to enable young people in particular, access to live shows, to spark that interest and nurture that love.

This love can come from school too. I had a brilliant drama teacher, Mr Ray Dicks. If I were ever to write a story about an inspirational teacher and his enthralled class, it would feature my mate Alex in A-level drama and a teacher based on Mr D.

He taught us about the history and technicalities of theatre but he also taught us wider lessons, about team-work, resilience, tenacity and ourselves. He tried hard to teach me to talk slower too, but I am still a failure on that front. But that aside, what I realise is the importance and value of exposing children to theatre.

Through it, they can develop empathy and work through their feelings. Also if it is diverse and representative, it can also give us all characters and stories with which we can identify, root for and help us explore ourselves and our place in the world, our history and our culture and hopefully help us develop into the creative, engaged, thoughtful adults of the present and the future.