🔗 Share this article

Through a thoughtful conversation, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become 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?

Without hesitation, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was growing up, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast 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, worth viewing regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character 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 specific question is always about the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that made up the stew – as I recall the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. 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 experienced intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at Miranda, and the name seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set of my career, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, 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 way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening some champagne on set, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.