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During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes 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?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned 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 were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue 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 our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

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 am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. 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 they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.