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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest character portrays 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 you choose and why?

Straight away, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my growing up, it would air on television occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night 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 remember 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 then was, first, always trust the people you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one particular interaction 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 … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific question is always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; like they even put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a pilates class and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. 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 complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.