IT IS fitting that Holiday On Ice's latest spectacular, Tropicana – The Passion Tour, should open at Westpoint on Valentine's Day as this year's show is all about celebrating love and life.

Created and choreographed by the former Olympic champion skater Robin Cousins, MBE, the show features a cast of over 40 world-class skaters performing smouldering boleros, sultry Latin rhythms, big band routines and high-octane rock 'n' roll, all set to a soundtrack of Barry Manilow compositions.

"My inspiration for the show was all about Manilow music. I had done a television show in America with Barry's music, in which he was a part of the live presentation, and just in passing at the drinks afterwards he and his manager both said 'wouldn't it be lovely if we got to do it again in some way shape or form', so when I had the opportunity to make a pitch to Holiday On Ice I thought wouldn't it be great to see if Barry is serious about letting me loose with his music on a bigger level – and the answer to that was yes," Robin smiles.

Although he is not keen on the name of the show – "it wasn't my choice" – he says that Barry Manilow has been a great advocate of what Robin has done with it.

"He has been quite vocal in terms of how much he has enjoyed seeing and hearing his music done in this way. I think for a lot of people – the Fanilows as they are called – his music is sacred and should only be performed by Barry, but he was never precious about his music," he says.

"We said we would stay true to the orchestrations, even when turning them into symphonic versions, and he just thought the idea would be fabulous. And the arrangements suit the skating in a way that perhaps some of the originals wouldn't have."

After last year's incredible set, which moved up and down from the ceiling of the arena, Robin knew he had to come up with something to dazzle the audience this time round and the innovative use of an LED screen at the back of the rink adds a new dimension to the performance.

"The LED screen really brings Holiday On Ice into the 21st century in a way that it enhances the show but at the same time doesn't detract from the skating side. To me, it was very important that they had to complement each other. There are moments when the screen is very important and tells the story of what is happening on the ice or between scenes, but there are other moments where it blends into the background and it is just part of the overall look," he says. "Holiday On Ice has been around for so long that, yes, how do you keep it fresh and keep it moving to the next level? So this certainly was an option and an idea that I presented that again has come to fruition."

Once again the costumes are amazing – and there are over 300 of them, from the traditional to the extravagant. Robin believes that it is very important to create a real experience for the audience. "There are so many other options out there to entertain people, but I have to say there is nothing like a live entertainment show, whether it be a kid being taken to panto for the first time or going to the West End to see a great musical. Most importantly, for me, is that if a family are going to come and see my show I want to make sure that if I was sitting in the audience and had to pay for it that I felt I was getting value for money. I am very mindful of that idea when I'm putting a show together. I would like to think that people would say that they really enjoyed it and more importantly would do it again," he says, emphatically. And yet despite his passionate advocacy for Tropicana, for the time being, at least, this could be his last production.

"Skating is a passion of mine and I have been very fortunate that my career has been able to do what it has in the 32 years I have been skating," he says with a wry smile. "Having made my debut with Holiday On Ice, I know it is the only type of show of its kind in the world where people like myself can be involved and help create the shows in a way that I would never have skated on my own.

"It was a natural progression for me and I knew it was something I wanted to try to do. I've had a great time over the years working with them and the skaters and helping make that happen."

That sounds strangely final – surely he must have ideas for other shows he wants to work on? "If and when I am asked – there are always ideas noodling away in my brain, which barely has time to turn off – but again it would have to be with the right things in mind and not just for the sake of doing it.

"I think you want to have a little bit of breathing space and let somebody else take their versions of their shows and get them moving along and get other people involved," he says.

"There are other people that can do these types of shows. I can't say I would never do one again if asked, but maybe having done what I've done..." he pauses for a second.

"I think, for me, Tropicana encapsulates everything that I felt I could do at this time with a show. But I never say never."

Tropicana – The Passion Tour is at Westpoint from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 February. For more information, See www.holidayonice. co.uk or telephone 08444 999955.