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Through a thoughtful interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest 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?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and people go there to see it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed 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 the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know your place, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you will find your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew 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 what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I provide great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was 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 brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from success. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.