Viral Sutra

In 1998, David Carter entered a treatment centre for heroin and crack cocaine addiction after contracting the HIV virus. In 2003, he contracted AIDS and started taking retroviral medication. In 2004, he wrote his first play. In 2005, he wrote Viral Sutra.

VIRUS: Group of submicroscopic entities capable of replication only within the cells of a living organism.
SUTRA: A collection of sayings or stories.
VIRAL SUTRA: The story of an everyday HIV virus struggling for survival, wondering about God, the nature of self, the reason for existence, and the threat posed by readily available condoms.

In the strange, otherworldly landscape of Viral Sutra, the complex interaction between a disease and the human body is played out on stage. Set in the body of the playwright with the actors as components of a deadly virus, the play is the story of infection told from the virus’ point of view.

After an acclaimed run in Bristol last year, Viral Sutra plays at the Bristol Old Vic before its London premiere at the multi-award-winning Finborough Theatre where David Carter is currently a Playwright–in–Residence – as the opening production in a season of new British plays.