🔗 Share this article

During a revealing interview, the acclaimed performer opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch 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, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. When I was growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

The Best Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance took off again and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the individuals in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to 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 detailed question is always about that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing about the stew, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall what they did; like they even put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really 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 felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source 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 settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium 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 that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out great, 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 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 pursued acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.