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Through a thoughtful interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

The most recent role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Straight away, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it would air on television every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, by looking and toward the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

What do you get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I provide great detail listing the components that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in secondary school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.