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Through a thoughtful conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent character portrays the monarch 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, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – because it’s like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

What film 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 would air on the ABC every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

The Best Lesson Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know words. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle during filming, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from success. With success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.