The stage play War Horse rehearses in Beijing on Aug 24, 2015. [Photo/CFP]

The Chinese version of the London hit War Horse is set to premiere in Beijing on Sep 4 as part of a China-UK theatre cooperation project. A life-size horse puppet, the world-famous war horse "Joey", made its debut in front of the Chinese media on Monday.

Two highlights of the play - "Albert riding the hunter Joey" and "Cavalry charges" - were put on stage. The former episode, with Albert riding valiantly on Joey the horse, depicts the friendship and trust between them. Actors and puppeteers worked in silent understanding, presenting a vivid picture of the bright and brave bearing of both Albert and the horse Joey.

"Cavalry charges" reveals the ruthlessness of the war. Two horses fight in smog, whinnying from time to time, with their front hoofs lifting up now and then. Surround sound in the theater reproduces the sounds of battlefield, making the audience feel as if they were actually in the trenches of war.

Lifelike performance of puppet horses has to be attributed to the puppeteers who are virtually "horses" on stage. After a year of intensive practice and preparation, the puppeteers are able to act and think like horses.