WHEN test tube twins Joseph and Francesca Wright were born prematurely doctors predicated they would only survive for three weeks.

The tiny tots were kept on ventilators at Southampton's Princess Anne Hospital for eight weeks until they were strong enough to breath on their own.

Even then experts said the pair from Shirley would suffer long-term educational and physical difficulties and that they would lag behind other children.

But those fragile scraps have defied medical opinion and grown into normal, healthy and bubbly ten-year-olds.

And, in one of their greatest achievements so far, they are set to perform alongside one of Europe's leading ballet companies at the city's Mayflower Theatre.

The youngsters, of Thornbury Avenue, will tonight star as two innkeeper's children in the English National Ballet's enchanting and sparkling production of Coppelia.

Based in the traditional country setting, the ballet portrays the tale of an eccentric doctor who is driven by a dream of bringing his beautiful wooden doll to life.

The children first appeared in the Daily Echo in January 1989. Their birth had ended years of tragedy for parents David and Anna Wright who lost a previous child through cot death.

Mrs Wright said: "It is nice for somebody else who has got children being treated in special care hospital units. It also gives hope to other parents who are in the same situation as we were.

"The children are completely normal which is miraculous considering what they have gone through. They were in and out of hospital for the first five years of their lives and there were question marks on how they would develop."

"They love being on stage and they are really looking forward to it. They never worry about performing and they never get stage fright."

Joseph is the singer in the family and he is a member of the Southampton Junior Operatic society. Meanwhile, Francesca enjoys dancing and acting and is a pupil of the Julia Chittenden school of dance, in Bedford Place.

It is the first time the brother and sister have performed together and they both have walk-on parts.

Saints fan Joseph agreed most people would be nervous but he loves the excitement of appearing on stage especially at the end with the bows and applause.

He said: "I would quite like to be a performer when I grow up to sing in pantomimes of musicals. I would also like to be a doctor."

Francesca is hoping to pursue a dancing career. Coppelia will be performed at the Mayflower from tonight until Saturday. Tickets can be booked by calling the box office on 01703 711811.

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