Mecca Productions’ Fiddler on the Roof took over the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium for five performances last week — evening shows Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as Saturday and Sunday matinees

Directed by Lisa Vasconcelos and with choreography by Monique Roy-Keller, the cast of about 85 people put on outstanding perfomances, led by James Comrie of Minnedosa, who had the lead role of Tevye.

Interestingly, said Vasconcelos, Comrie was kicked in the leg by a cow on Wednesday while working at his veterinarian’s job, and performed on stage all week with torn ligaments in his knee. “The limp was not a character-added movement,” said Vasconcelos.

Comrie had his knee taped up for each performance and “he was a real trouper,” she said. “He was such a joy to work with and to watch.”