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During a revealing conversation, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. It is a great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, always trust the people in your scene. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and toward the actors you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present then. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

Which questions get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific question is always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What was your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Set

What was the chaotic thing that’s ever happened on set?

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in high school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than is gained from success. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.