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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become 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 you choose and why?

Without hesitation, the blue groper 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 seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my childhood, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched often.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – 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 recall looking at 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, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be in some way. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most touching 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 stories about how that character impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for 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 stew, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; like they even put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins 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 cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know who you are!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive 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 novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not ended up in acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.