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Through a thoughtful conversation, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays 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 you choose and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

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 used to come on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best 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 back then we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

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

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

What do you get asked most frequently 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 such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide great detail describing the components that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker 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 the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from 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 a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. 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 you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.