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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent role is 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, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my growing up, it would air on television every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you will find your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I meet fans 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 Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

What do you get asked about the most 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 has evolved into such a joke, 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 think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide great detail describing the components that made up the stew – because I remember the efforts made; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as bad as they could.

An Awkward Star Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. 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 so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving 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 high school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from success. With success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.