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Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there to see it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such great piece of humor and all the actors in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I recall glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged then. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to 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 in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into 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 do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as put bits of colored thread to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a 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 words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think 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 stating otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre 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 on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, 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 punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in high school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from success. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.