🔗 Share this article

During a revealing interview, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays 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, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic 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 childhood, it used to come on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

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

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about how that character meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall what they did; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

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

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and the name seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

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 least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from failure than is gained from success. With success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.