🔗 Share this article

During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest 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 it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

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 as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue 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, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and toward the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are fully engaged then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much 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 detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. 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 still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

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

The Finest Piece of Advice 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 stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.