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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

Given the Chance to Become a Sea Creature for a Day

The most recent role is the monarch 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 found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and people go there to see it. I just think it’s cool that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.

A Film Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this picture. During my growing up, it would air on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It stars the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But Lubitsch's version is a brilliant comedy, worth viewing often.

A Priceless Lesson 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 alongside Peter O’Brien – my husband now, but back then we were not a couple. We portrayed characters as scene partners and on opening night I stumbled – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I recall looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene regained momentum and went really, really well. But I think the insight gained in that moment was, firstly, consistently rely on the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and toward the actors you’re with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be 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 way provided you are fully engaged 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 memorable interaction with a fan?

There isn't just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about how that character 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 most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into such a joke, the entire episode involving that dish, and all fans wish to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a poor chef? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I provide lengthy descriptions describing the components that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as adding pieces of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as bad as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I was at a pilates class and another participant on a mat exercising, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and often when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. At that point, I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

It’s been 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 definitively?

Indeed, I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought seemed a nice name.

Pandemonium 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 that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in such a different way. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set by a certain time. But this was rather flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the final moment, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting the next day the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer opening some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was excellent, but goodness, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Hidden Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I naturally possess good with numbers. I memorise numbers more readily than I memorise words a lot of the time, I’ve just got that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Finest Guidance Given

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

When I was in secondary school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from failure than is gained from success. With success, one rarely comprehends precisely why it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.