🔗 Share this article

In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent role is Queen 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 residing near Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my growing up, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned 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 together. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, 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, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I provide great detail listing the components that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense 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 rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle during filming, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.