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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

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?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was growing up, it would air on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through 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 at the time we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – 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 the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … 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.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, 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 describing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be 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 what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been repeatedly stated 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. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location or 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? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne during filming, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think had I not pursued acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in high school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.