🔗 Share this article

Through a thoughtful discussion, the acclaimed performer reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is Queen 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 residing near a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this picture. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

The Best Insight Gained Through a Co-Star

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, always trust the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and look at the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great direction provided you are really present in that moment. It can be a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

What do you get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; 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 bad as they could.

An Awkward Star Meeting

What was your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

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 you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

What was the 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 turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location or the methodology. And then I would be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from failure than is gained from triumph. With success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.