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Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent character portrays Queen 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 found at a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature 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. When I was childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago 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 simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director 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 Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

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

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck 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 I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

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

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

During my time in secondary school, a speaker came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.