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During a revealing interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is Queen 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 – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my childhood, it would air on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about how that character impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing 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 situation. And I go into great detail listing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

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

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

Chaos on Set

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 least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule 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 way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “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.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret 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’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from failure than you learn from success. With success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.