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Through a thoughtful interview, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is 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?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through 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 – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, first, always trust the people in your scene. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re really present in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which 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 question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Star Encounter

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

I was at a pilates class and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s 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 words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

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 clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in high school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from success. With success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.