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In a candid discussion, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Straight away, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago 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 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 as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, first, always trust the people in your scene. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction if you’re really present in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character 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 specific inquiry concerns always about 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 stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail listing the ingredients that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What was your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a pilates class and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name 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 the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have 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 once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound 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 style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than is gained from success. With success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.