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In a candid discussion, Miranda Otto reflects on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature for a Day

Your latest role is 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?

Without hesitation, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Cinematic Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it would air on television occasionally, and once I recorded it. I found it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It is a great piece of comedy and all the actors in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

What is the most valuable lesson you learned from someone a colleague?

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 portrayed characters opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained then was, first, always trust the people you’re working with. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, to maintain a sense of fun regarding it. Occasionally 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 completely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

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

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I am told numerous stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … 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.

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

The most specific inquiry concerns always about the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; like they even adding pieces of red cotton to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed great detail to render it as unappetizing as they could.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I consider her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to say anything.

The Source of a Name

Articles have confidently claimed that you were given your name from Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet you've mentioned stating otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at that location, and the name seemed 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 least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a schedule and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words a lot of the time, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn so much more from setbacks than you learn from success. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.