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During a revealing conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent role is Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and people go there 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’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my childhood, it would air on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

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

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn 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 question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in 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 comedy of that scene. And I provide great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Star Encounter

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you 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 as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were given your name from 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?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name seemed a nice name.

Chaos 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 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 unique. Typically, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Guidance Given

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

When I was in high school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.