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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

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

Straight away, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my childhood, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

Which questions get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most detailed question is always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, 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 humour of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the stew – because I remember the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really 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 felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

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 that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you receive 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 approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn far more from failure than is gained from success. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.