The actress Discusses Perspectives on Her Career, Fandom, and Unexpected Gifts.

In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent character portrays the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 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 once I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened 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 specific inquiry concerns always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and everyone wants to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail listing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What was your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Given

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from success. With success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.