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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; supposing you had the opportunity to be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. It strikes me it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched often.

The Best 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 together. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and toward the people sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a really great way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable interaction with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

Which questions get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It’s become a running gag, the whole thing about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as possible.

An Awkward Star Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to complete 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 just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

Articles have confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you settle the matter definitively?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Location

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

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer popping open some champagne during filming, to start a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “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. With success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.