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During a revealing interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays Queen 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, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, 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 in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

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

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character 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 detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, 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 math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “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, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.