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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature 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 it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and people go there to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of humor and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained then was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about how that character impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which 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 detailed question is always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at 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 about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel 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 you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue 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 entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from success. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.