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Through a thoughtful conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through 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; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my growing up, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable 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 back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into 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 she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

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 that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive 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 final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than you learn from success. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.