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Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature 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?

Straight away, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my childhood, it would air on television 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 simply chuckled and laughed. It is a masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned in that moment was, first, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, 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 experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

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 most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out 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 you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, because you learn far more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.