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Through a thoughtful interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is 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, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and people go there 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 Film Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was growing up, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars 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 also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What’s the best 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 back then we were not together. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the people sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

What’s been your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for 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 detailed question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode 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 bad cook? Fans seem, I think, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I go into great detail listing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed 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 I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.