🔗 Share this article

Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays Queen 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?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my childhood, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, always trust the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

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

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred 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 inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, 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 go into great detail listing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was 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 a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?

When I was in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than you learn from triumph. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.