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During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her latest role as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through theatrical mistakes and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is Queen of the Cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Favorite to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my childhood, it used to come on the ABC every now and again, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian 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 attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and all the actors in it are superb. 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 Insight Gained Through 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 with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, consistently rely on the people in your scene. If you don’t know your place, by looking and toward the people you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a wonderfully positive direction provided you are fully engaged in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Exchanges with Admirers

What’s been your most memorable interaction 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 impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which that character meant to them and was a form of support to them in those times.

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

The most specific question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It’s become such a joke, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that constituted the stew – because I remember the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as bad as they could.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

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

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I didn’t know words. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been repeatedly stated 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 definitively?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a shopping centre at Miranda, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

What’s the most 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 turned out incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear the next location or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne on set, to start a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or accounting.

The Best 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 as we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn abundant.