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In a candid discussion, Miranda Otto opens up on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the invaluable wisdom learned through onstage mishaps and fan interactions.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest character portrays 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?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near a specific shoreline – because it’s like an institution, and people go there to see 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 Film Staple to Return To

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I found it was hilarious. It stars Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Not long ago they were showing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of an acquaintance, and so we went and simply chuckled and laughed. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. Mel Brooks did a remake in the 1980s – which was not as effective. But the original film is a brilliant comedy, to be watched regularly.

The Best Lesson Gained Through a Co-Star

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

I was doing A Doll’s House alongside Peter O’Brien – now my spouse, but back then we were not together. We portrayed characters opposite each other and on opening night I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I abruptly sensed things were off. I remember glancing toward him, and he expertly rescued the moment, and then our performance took off again and went really, really well. However, I believe the insight gained then was, first, always trust the individuals you’re working with. When you lose where you are, if you turn around and toward the actors you’re with, you can rediscover your correct position somehow. It’s such communal thing, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great way if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be a gift when things go absolutely awry.

Memorable Exchanges with Fans

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

It’s not just one specific meeting but when I meet fans of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about how that character impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them during those periods.

Which questions get asked about the most by Lord of the Rings fans?

The most specific inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode about the stew, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and how was it made, and in your opinion her skills improved now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the humour of that situation. And I provide lengthy descriptions listing the ingredients that made up the concoction – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of colored thread to simulate the appearance like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Meeting

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

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman on a mat exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted some joke about, “oh, are you a journalist?” Because it’s an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they’re a journalist. I hadn't properly 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 was obliged to complete my class, and I felt so embarrassed. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I am aware of who you are!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck 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 I’ve read you saying otherwise – can you settle the matter once and for all?

Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a mall at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Chaos on Set

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

When I was working in Brazil on Reaching for the Moon that was the least organized set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film emerged brilliantly. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. The sense of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a novel way of working for me. The elements were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times they wouldn’t know where they were shooting or the methodology. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that disturbed the scene? Ah, it was the producer opening a bottle during filming, because he’s making a party.” It turned out great, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

Do you have a secretly good at?

I’ve always been good with numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I simply have a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t pursued acting, I likely might have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Finest Piece of Advice Given

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

When I was in high school, someone came to speak when we were graduating and stated, “don’t be afraid to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, because you learn so much more from failure than you learn from success. Success, you never really comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, the lessons are abundant.