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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are really present then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

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

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman lying down exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated 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 definitively?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil for the film 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. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive 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 being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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 they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.