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Through a thoughtful interview, Miranda Otto delves on topics ranging from her latest role as a regal sea creature to the profound lessons gleaned from onstage mishaps and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Sea Creature 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 you choose and why?

Without hesitation, that particular fish found at a specific shoreline – since it is a local landmark, and individuals visit to see it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely seek out and discuss – it holds a unique status.

A Film Staple to Revisit

What film do you repeatedly watch, and why?

The 1942 film To Be Or Not To Be. I adore this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on the ABC occasionally, and once I videotaped it. I just thought it was hilarious. It’s the legendary Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at a cinema and I discovered that it was also the favourite film of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It’s such masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are superb. The director Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. 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 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 during the premiere I tripped up – I skipped forward a few lines in the script. I didn’t know what I’d done but I suddenly realised something wasn’t right. I remember looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, always trust the people in your scene. If you don’t know your place, if you turn around and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you will find your correct position somehow. It’s such collaborative endeavor, acting on stage. And secondly, to maintain a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great direction provided you are fully engaged then. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Heartening Interactions with Admirers

Can you describe your most touching interaction with a fan?

There isn't a single particular interaction but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, particularly women, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn meant to them when they were younger … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was some kind of help to them in those times.

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

The most detailed question is invariably regarding the stew that Eowyn serves Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It has evolved into a running gag, the entire episode involving that dish, and everyone wants to know the contents of the stew, and how was it made, 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 comedy of that scene. And I go into lengthy descriptions describing the ingredients that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. The crew employed extreme measures to make it look as unappetizing as they could.

An Awkward Celebrity Encounter

What’s been your most cringeworthy run-in with a famous person?

I attended a fitness session and another participant on a mat doing pilates, and the teacher remarked, “Oh, Miranda, meet Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark inquiring, “oh, are you a journalist?” Since Miranda is an uncommon moniker and often when I meet another Miranda, they work in media. I hadn't properly identified her. And when she got up, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for words. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I do know your work!” I think her talent is immense and I was just too starstruck to utter a syllable.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been repeatedly stated that you were named after 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. My mother heard on the radio that they were opening a shopping centre at that location, and the name sounded like a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

What was the 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 emerged incredibly well. But the local crew operated in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a call sheet and must arrive on set punctually. But this was rather open ended – you come on set at one's convenience. It was a novel way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and at times the plan was unclear where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then I would be in the middle of 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.” It turned out great, but goodness, it’s a really different style of film-making.

A Secret Talent

What are you secretly good at?

I naturally possess an aptitude for numbers. I memorise numbers easier than I memorise words often, I’ve just got a numerically-oriented mind. So I believe if I hadn’t ended up in acting, I probably would have entered a field something to do with numbers, like mathematics or finance.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, someone came to speak as we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains far more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. Failure, the lessons are so much more.