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In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest 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?

Straight away, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

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 – now my spouse, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, always trust the individuals in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are fully engaged then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific question is always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing about the stew, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall what they did; such as adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, 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 I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. 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 sort of flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would 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?

When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and they said, “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 precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.