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During a revealing discussion, Miranda Otto delves on subjects as varied as her newest character as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest 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, the blue groper found at a specific shoreline – since it is like an institution, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and talk about – it holds a unique status.

A Cinematic Favorite to Revisit

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. During my childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It’s such great piece of comedy and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But Lubitsch's version is an exceptional farce, worth viewing regularly.

A Priceless Lesson Learned From 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 back then we were not a couple. We were playing opposite each other and during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, first, always trust the individuals in your scene. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and look at the people you’re with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Sometimes when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a wonderfully positive direction if you’re really present in that moment. It may become a gift when things go completely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

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

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I meet fans 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 … events that occurred in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding that infamous meal her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a poor chef? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the components that constituted the concoction – because I remember the efforts made; like they even put bits of red cotton to make it look like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Meeting

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

I attended a fitness session and another participant lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted some joke inquiring, “might you be 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 seeing who it was. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Name

Articles have 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 once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for a district in Sydney. Mum heard on the radio that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and the name seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium on Set

What’s the most 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 a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were all coming together at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know the next location the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different approach to film-making.

A Hidden Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with 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 had I not pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. With success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.