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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto opens up on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons learned through onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

Given the Chance to Become a Fish 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 found at Clovelly beach – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that people actually go and see and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Favorite to Return To

Which movie do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed and laughed. It’s such great piece of comedy 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, worth viewing regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Fellow Actor

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

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I tripped up – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. When you lose your place, if you turn around and toward the people sharing the stage with, you can rediscover where you’re meant to be somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, performing live. And secondly, to maintain a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged then. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

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

It’s not just one particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I am told numerous accounts about what Eowyn meant to them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and the extent to which 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 the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and all fans wish to know the contents of the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, obsessed with the humour of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that made up the stew – as I recall the efforts made; like they even put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the teacher said to me, “Oh, Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they’re a journalist. I wasn’t really identified her. And when she got up, it was Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I was obliged to stay and do my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Name

Articles have 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 settle the matter definitively?

Yes – I was named after the Sydney suburb. Mum heard on the radio that they were opening 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?

When I was working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the final product turned out brilliantly. But they just work in such a different way. Their concept of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a call sheet and you have to be on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were all coming together at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of a scene and wondering, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Oh, it’s the producer popping open a bottle during filming, to start a party.” The result was great, but wow, it’s a distinct approach to film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, because you learn far more from failure than is gained from success. Success, you never really understand precisely why it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.