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Through a thoughtful interview, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes 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?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew 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 how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide great detail describing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember what they did; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have 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 definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced 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 unique. In Australia, 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 really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. With success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.