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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays Queen 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 found at Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through 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 – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn 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 her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of 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? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “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 hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been 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 once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and she thought seemed a nice name.

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 least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive 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 novel way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I simply have 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 Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.