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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature 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 the monarch 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, that particular fish residing near 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 holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Return To

What film do you always return to, and why?

The 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. During my growing up, it would air on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was also the favourite film of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled repeatedly. It is a masterful work of comedy and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – that wasn’t as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

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 with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. 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 what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember looking at him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then the scene took off again and proceeded splendidly. However, I believe what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and look at the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It is a profoundly communal thing, acting on stage. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude regarding it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things can ignite in a really great way provided you are really present then. It can be a gift when things go completely awry.

Heartening Interactions with Fans

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

There isn't a single specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were younger … events that occurred in their lives and how much that character 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 specific inquiry concerns always about that infamous meal that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and in your opinion she’s a better cook now, or do you think she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that scene. And I provide great detail listing the ingredients that made up the concoction – as I recall the efforts made; such as adding pieces of colored thread to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to great detail to render it as bad as possible.

A Cringeworthy Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most embarrassing celebrity encounter?

I attended a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat doing pilates, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made some joke inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I was obliged to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was simply too awestruck to utter a syllable.

The Origin of a Moniker

It’s been confidently claimed that you were named after Prospero’s daughter in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and yet I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was named after a district in Sydney. My mother heard on the radio 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 I experienced the least organized set of my career, and yet the film turned out brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is unique. In Australia, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear at one's convenience. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, and sometimes the plan was unclear the next location the next day how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in the middle of a scene and be like, “What was that noise that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening a bottle on set, to start a party.” It turned out excellent, but wow, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Skill

What are you secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I retain numbers more readily than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I think had I not ended up in acting, I likely might have entered a field involving numbers, like math or finance.

The Best Guidance Ever Received

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

During my time in secondary school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … which I think is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than is gained from triumph. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are so much more.