🔗 Share this article

In a candid conversation, the acclaimed performer opens up on subjects as varied as 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

The most recent character portrays 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?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my 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 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 an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Insight Learned From a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, consistently rely on the people in your scene. When you lose your place, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

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

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … 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 about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most detailed inquiry concerns always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, 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 her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the stew – because I remember the efforts made; like they even put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

What’s been your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source 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 definitively?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from success. With success, you never really comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.