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Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest character portrays the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently 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 repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through 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 – now my spouse, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about how that character meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to 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 specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted 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 when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been confidently claimed that you were named after 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 a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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 most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. 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 flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.