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During a revealing conversation, Miranda Otto reflects on subjects as varied as her latest role as Queen of the Cuttlefish to the profound lessons gleaned from theatrical mistakes and meeting admirers.

If You Could Be a Fish for a Day

Your latest role is the monarch of the cuttlefish in The Pout-Pout Fish; if you could be a fish for a day, which one would it be and why?

Straight away, that particular fish residing near Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and individuals visit specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that a resident aquatic creature that folks genuinely go and see and talk about – it’s a special fish.

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 love this film. When I was growing up, it used to come on television every now and again, and one time I videotaped it. I just thought it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and Jack Benny. Recently they were playing it at the Ritz and I discovered that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we attended and just laughed and laughed. It is a great piece of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. 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 Insight Gained Through a Fellow Actor

What’s the best lesson you took away from someone a colleague?

Years ago I performed in A Doll’s House with Pete – my husband now, but back then we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I stumbled – I skipped forward some dialogue in the script. I was unaware what I’d done but I abruptly sensed something wasn’t right. I remember glancing toward him, and he completely saved me, and then the scene regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned then was, firstly, consistently rely on the people you’re working with. When you lose where you are, by looking and look at the people you’re with, you will find where you’re meant to be somehow. It is a profoundly collaborative endeavor, performing live. And next, just to have a sense of fun about it. Occasionally when a mistake occurs, things actually spark off in a really great direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It can be an unexpected boon when things go completely the wrong way.

Memorable Interactions with Admirers

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

There isn't a single specific meeting 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 younger … events that occurred in their lives and the extent to which that character signified for them and was a form of support 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. “Did that stew taste as terrible as it looked?” It has evolved into such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the stew, and its preparation method, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? Fans seem, in my view, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I provide great detail describing the ingredients that made up the stew – because I remember what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to simulate the appearance like blood vessels in the meat. The crew employed great detail to make it look as unappetizing as possible.

A Cringeworthy Star Meeting

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

I was at a pilates class and there was a woman lying down exercising, and the instructor remarked, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I attempted a lighthearted remark inquiring, “might you be a journalist?” Since Miranda is an unusual name and most of the time when someone’s a Miranda, they work in media. I wasn’t really seeing who it was. And as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. At that point, I didn’t know words. I still had to complete my class, and I felt intense awkwardness. I wanted to say: “Goodness, I do know your work!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was simply too awestruck to say anything.

The Source of a Moniker

It’s been 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 clarify this definitively?

Yes – I was christened for a district in Sydney. My mother learned via broadcast that they were inaugurating a mall at that location, and she thought seemed a pleasant choice.

Pandemonium on Set

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

While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon that was the most chaotic set I’ve ever worked on, and yet the film turned out incredibly well. But the local crew operated in such a different way. Their concept of time there is really different. Typically, you receive a call sheet and you have to be on set by a certain time. But this was sort of flexible – one would appear whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different approach for me. All aspects were being assembled at the final moment, 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 caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Oh, it’s a crew member popping open some champagne on set, because he’s making a party.” The result was great, but goodness, it’s a really different 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 a lot of the time, I simply have that kind of a brain. So I think if I hadn’t pursued acting, I probably would have worked in something to do with numbers, like math or accounting.

The Best Piece of Advice Ever Received

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

During my time in high school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and stated, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is supremely valuable counsel, since one gains so much more from setbacks than is gained from triumph. Success, one rarely comprehends exactly how it happened. With failure, you learn so much more.