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

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

The most recent character portrays 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?

Straight away, the blue groper residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

A Film Favorite to Revisit

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a great piece of humor and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not successful. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

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 together. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained in that moment was, first, always trust the individuals in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

What’s been your most memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous accounts about how that character impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the pot, and its preparation method, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; such as 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.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I was at a fitness session and there was a woman lying down exercising, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have repeatedly stated that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a nice name.

Chaos on Set

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 most chaotic set of my career, and yet the film emerged incredibly well. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel 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 the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in high school, someone addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are abundant.