During a revealing discussion, the acclaimed performer delves on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.
Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day
Your latest 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 found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.
A Cinematic Staple to Return To
Which movie do you always return to, and why?
The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.
A Priceless Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor
What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?
I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know 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 proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you will find your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction if you’re really present in that moment. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.
Memorable Interactions with Admirers
Can you describe your most touching encounter with a fan?
It’s not just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.
What do you get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?
The most detailed question is always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that constituted the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.
A Cringeworthy Star Encounter
What was your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?
I attended a pilates class and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.
The Origin of a Moniker
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 clarify this definitively?
Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought 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 most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.
A Hidden Skill
What are you secretly good at?
I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.
The Best Guidance Given
What is the greatest piece of advice you have ever received?
During my time in high school, someone addressed us as we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from failure than you learn from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.
