🔗 Share this article

During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time 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 didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, always trust the people 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 is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

What’s been your most memorable encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, 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 Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into great detail listing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated 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 named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.