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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role 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

The most recent role is 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 it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been 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 had I not pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from success. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.