🔗 Share this article

During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

The most recent role is Queen 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 individuals visit to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was growing up, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

The Best 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 a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, firstly, always trust the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

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

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as possible.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

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

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed 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 settle the matter definitively?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Set

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 most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept 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 rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret 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 that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.