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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 profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is 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 found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, by looking and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which 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 inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

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

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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 least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

During my time in high school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from success. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.