The actress Shares Perspectives on Acting, Fandom, and Life's Gifts.

In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest 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, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple 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. When I was childhood, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned in that moment was, first, always trust the individuals in your scene. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and look at the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching 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 how that character meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific question is always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, obsessed with the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

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 some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, 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 do know who you are!” I consider 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 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 learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think had I not pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest 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, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from success. With success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.