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Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be 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 you choose and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually 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 the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re really present then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail describing the components that made up 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 they could.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is 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. Then I didn’t know words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed 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?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos 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 least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone addressed us as 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 setbacks than is gained from success. Success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.