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During a revealing conversation, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature 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, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and look at the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I provide great detail describing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin 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 you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was 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 emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know 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 caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, a speaker addressed us as 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 is gained from success. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.