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Through a thoughtful discussion, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is Queen 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, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think it’s cool that there’s a local fish that people actually seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently 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 just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is an exceptional farce, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Insight Learned From a Co-Star

What’s the best lesson you learned from someone you’ve worked with?

I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe the insight gained then was, firstly, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the actors you’re with, you will find your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Sometimes when something goes wrong, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re really present in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

What’s been your most touching encounter with a fan?

It’s not a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, I think, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide great detail listing the components that made up the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even put bits of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Encounter

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

I attended a pilates class and another participant lying down doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I think she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Origin of a Moniker

It’s been 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 settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought sounded like a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

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 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 unique. Typically, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the final moment, and sometimes they wouldn’t know the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member opening a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Hidden Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Ever Received

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

When I was in secondary school, a speaker came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from setbacks than is gained from success. Success, one rarely understand exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn so much more.