[Millie Dillmount]

just wondered if anyone knew the definition for what makes a walking cover? ive seen a couple of things recently where they have been listed in the programmes - for hairspray it was adam price who is walking cover for edna, wilbur and male authority figure and clare machin in poppins who is listed simply as walking cover

i know that understudy is a member of the cast who is usually ensemble who is also rehersed on one of more principle roles, swing is someone who is fully rehearsed in multiple ensemble roles, and standby is someone who doesnt usually perform but is fully rehearsed in a principle role, and alternate plays a certain number of shows per week as a principle and other than abbie whatshername in evita the alternate is not used for other roles - walking cover please define!!

[Laughingmonsta]

is a person who generally will come on and walk through the part with script in hand - this is a very last case scenario though

[prosarchie]

is a person who generally will come on and walk through the part with script in hand - this is a very last case scenario though

This is incorrect. A walking cover is employed to be first cover to the principal role that he or she is covering. They do not appear in the show but are at the theatre every performance. They also cover holidays. It normally applies to the 'star' roles and I think is more common in the US.
Bringing on a script is a very last resort and is not a specific job.

[Mark_E]

Its basically just a standby for Multiple roles.For example say the Elphaba standby was also the Galinda standby they would be the Walking Cover.

[hitster]

If they are a standby performer for specific roles, surely that would make them a Swing or does the "Swing" definition only apply to covering the ensemble. In plays, an actor/actress will often cover only one role as an understudy if the role requires an actor or actress of an age range that none of the other cast or understudies can play like say older man or woman.

[Matthew Winn]

I always understood it to be that a walking cover is a cover for (generally) one lead role, while a swing is a cover for many roles, mostly in the ensemble. In neither case will the person usually perform.

To complicate matters there's also the on-stage swing, who is in nearly every respect the same as other swings (and covers many roles), but who also has their own track in the ensemble. On-stage swings usually pad out crowds and stuff like that. I've never seen an on-stage swing deliver any lines or be featured in any choreography and I assume that never happens, presumably because that would require someone else to cover those parts when the swing was in a different role.

To further complicate matters, bear in mind that "swing", "standby" and "walking cover" are job titles, not job descriptions. Sometimes it happens that two people will get different job titles for doing the same work in order to reflect different salaries (for instance, if one is a well-known and established actor while the other is straight out of training). Sometimes it's nothing more than a matter of prestige.

[mjr]

I always understood it to be that a walking cover is a cover for (generally) one lead role, while a swing is a cover for many roles, mostly in the ensemble. In neither case will the person usually perform.

To complicate matters there's also the on-stage swing, who is in nearly every respect the same as other swings (and covers many roles), but who also has their own track in the ensemble. On-stage swings usually pad out crowds and stuff like that. I've never seen an on-stage swing deliver any lines or be featured in any choreography and I assume that never happens, presumably because that would require someone else to cover those parts when the swing was in a different role.

To further complicate matters, bear in mind that "swing", "standby" and "walking cover" are job titles, not job descriptions. Sometimes it happens that two people will get different job titles for doing the same work in order to reflect different salaries (for instance, if one is a well-known and established actor while the other is straight out of training). Sometimes it's nothing more than a matter of prestige.

Is there not an onstage swing in Cats??, Tha includes alot of choreography, or am i wrong??