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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent 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 it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there 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 Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead 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 expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know your place, by looking and toward the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

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

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which 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 inquiry concerns always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing about the stew, 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 poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think 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 I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

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

Chaos on Set

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.