This year's Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts, presented by the Esplanade, features a score of adaptations that cut across genres and artforms.

These range from an Eastern satirical take on the timeless Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth by Chinese director Huang Ying to the Singapore Chinese Orchestra's reinterpretation of four seminal Chinese literary works through music.

Then there is a Cantonese version of the Tony and Laurence Olivier award-winning dark comedy God Of Carnage starring Hong Kong actor Anthony Wong, as well as a dance duet between a dancer and a robot in Huang Yi & Kuka.

Music lovers are also in for a treat, as the festival has brought in showcases from indie acts such as Taiwanese electronic pop-rock band Hello Nico to vocalists such as Chinese songstress Gong Linna.

Singapore acts are also in the spotlight - singer Dawn Wong, who has appeared on reality TV singing contests, will present her debut album Marco Lopo, while Mandopop songwriter Chen Jiaming marks the 30th year of his career with an evening of his compositions performed by a group of Singapore singers.

• Huayi - Chinese Festival of Arts runs from Feb 12 to 21 at the Esplanade. Tickets from Sistic (call 6348-5555 or go to sistic.com.sg). For more information, go to www.esplanade.com/huayi

A Chinese Macbeth with insomnia