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Through a thoughtful interview, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is Queen 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, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently 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 attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. 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 can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most memorable encounter with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck 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 you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating 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?

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.