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During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

If You Could Be 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 it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Lesson 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 alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

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

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about how that character meant to them when they were younger … 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.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – because I remember the efforts made; 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 unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Star Encounter

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, 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. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. 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 during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from success. With success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.