When Dickson Mwansa's The Cell was performed in Zambia in 1980 it won extraordinary applause and two substantial prizes. But approbation turned to disapproval when his production of his own play was on the point of going abroad to represent Zambian drama.In the article which follows Dickson Mwansa gives his own account of the rise and fall of The Cell. The author, who wrote the article in Ontario while doing a year's M. Ed. course, now teaches at the Centre for Continuing Education at the University of Zambia.