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During a revealing conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays 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?

Straight away, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it would air on television occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

The Best Insight Learned From a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to 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 specific question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste 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 she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Encounter

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

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 stating otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

What was the 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 I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily 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 mathematics or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.