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In a candid discussion, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

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; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy 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 regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

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

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the actors you’re with, you will find your correct position in some way. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed question is always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the stew – as I recall the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures 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 another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

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

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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 of my career, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Given

What is the greatest 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” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from setbacks than is gained from success. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.