Skater hits the ice with wife for Disney

Often in the skating world, a husband and wife get the chance to perform in the same show.

The same is true of James Black and his wife, Victoria. The two are part of Disney on Ice's "Princess Classics" — he as Prince Charming and she as Cinderella.

Disney on Ice is now at Arco Arena.

"It helps us have a connection on the ice," Black said of skating with his wife. "We're so comfortable with each other, it flows better."

Black, originally from Caistor, Lincolnshire, in the United Kingdom, got his start on the ice at the age of 10. He first tried it at a birthday party for a friend, and "I thought I could be good at it," he said. "Having that sense of freedom on the ice is what drew me to skating."

During his career as a competitive skater, he amassed several awards to become among the most decorated British skaters, including being named British Junior Champion, a three-time British Senior silver medalist and a 2002 World Championships competitor. He retired from competition in 2002 and joined Disney on Ice in 2005.

With skating for Disney on Ice, "There's not as much pressure from skating," he said. "I do what I love, and I get to see a smile on children's faces."

"Princess Classics" is split into two acts. The first act features condensed versions of Disney classics such as "Aladdin," "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The second act is the story of "Cinderella" from start to finish, which is when Black gets to skate with his wife and become Prince Charming.

"He's the best of the Disney princes," he said. "He is a nice guy who is looking for that one love, and he finds it in Cinderella."

Now in his third year with Disney on Ice, Black said he would continue performing "as long as my body will let me do it. I still love to perform, so I'm going to carry on doing it."

Disney on Ice "Princess Classics" continues through Sunday.

The kids in the audience love the show, Black said. "The 'Cinderella' story is a classic, and the show itself is full of classic Disney magic."