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Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

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

Straight away, the blue groper residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my childhood, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you learned 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 a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

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

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail listing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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 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. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

During my time in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.