🔗 Share this article

In a candid discussion, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic 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 would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, firstly, always trust the individuals in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are really present in that moment. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Admirers

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

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember what they did; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often 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 didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck 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?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than you learn from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.