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During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely 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?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great direction provided you are really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

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 how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated 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?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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 of my career, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, to start a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time 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, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.