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During a revealing conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish 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?

Straight away, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable 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 always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at 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, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character 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 specific question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail listing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

What’s the most chaotic thing that’s ever happened on set?

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in secondary school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.