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Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays 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 you choose and why?

Straight away, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake 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 Fellow Actor

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

I was doing 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 on opening night 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 looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors you’re with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are really present in that moment. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character meant to 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 question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I go into great detail listing the components that made up the stew – as I recall the efforts made; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

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 you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

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

Pandemonium on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location the next day the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from failure than is gained from success. With success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.