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During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom learned through 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 it be and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. It strikes me as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite 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. During my growing up, it used to come on television occasionally, and one time I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. The director Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched 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 with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – 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 completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think the insight gained then was, first, consistently rely on the individuals in your scene. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the people sharing the stage 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. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive way provided you are really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go absolutely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Fans

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

There isn't just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous stories about how that character meant to them when they were growing up … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the pot, and how was it made, and do you think her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? People are, in my view, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the stew – as I recall what they did; like they even adding pieces of colored thread to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

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

I was at a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to stay and do my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know who you are!” I consider her talent is immense 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 you've mentioned you saying otherwise – can you clarify this once and for all?

Indeed, I was named after the Sydney suburb. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Location

What was the chaotic thing that’s ever happened on set?

While working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. In Australia, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather flexible – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. The elements were being assembled 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 you’d be in during a scene and wondering, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening some champagne during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out excellent, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been an aptitude for numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue a lot of the time, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in involving numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

When I was in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains far more from failure than you learn from triumph. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.