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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch 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, the blue groper found at Clovelly beach – since it is like an institution, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

Which movie do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was 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 I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not successful. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but at the time we were not a couple. We were playing as scene partners and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained then was, first, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, by looking and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are really present in that moment. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most memorable encounter with a fan?

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of accounts about how that character meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most specific question is always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What was your most embarrassing run-in with a famous person?

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read stating otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a shopping centre at Miranda, and the name seemed a nice name.

Chaos on Location

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 schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather open ended – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member popping open a bottle on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

What’s the best 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, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from success. With success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.