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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest 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 found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled 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 as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

The Best Insight Learned From a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, 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 meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe 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 components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

It’s been 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 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 pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than you learn from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.