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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom 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; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic 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 film. When I was growing up, it would air on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and 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 attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

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 were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think what I learned in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for 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 the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting 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 disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance Given

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

When I was in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from triumph. Success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.