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In a candid interview, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent character portrays 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?

Straight away, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away 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 together. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines 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 the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be 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 then. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

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

It’s not 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 meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the comedy of that situation. And I go into great detail listing the components that constituted 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 bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I was at a pilates class and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

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 stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was 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 emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field 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, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from success. With success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.