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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be 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 a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian 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 went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

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 together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then 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 sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re fully engaged then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter 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 accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know the contents of the pot, 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, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often 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 didn’t know words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

What was the 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 turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.