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During a revealing conversation, 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 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 it be and why?

Straight away, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained then was, firstly, 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 where you’re meant to be in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide great detail describing the components that constituted the concoction – as I recall what they did; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I was at a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source 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 the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed a nice name.

Chaos 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 most chaotic 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. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times 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 wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.