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During a revealing interview, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps 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; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece 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 the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Learned From a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe 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 actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way if you’re really present in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I meet fans 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 how much 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 specific question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become 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 her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I go into great detail listing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. 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 wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin 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 you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

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 least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. 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. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know 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 was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, a speaker came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than you learn from success. With success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.