Through a thoughtful interview, Miranda Otto reflects on topics ranging from her newest character as a regal sea creature to the invaluable wisdom gleaned from onstage mishaps and fan interactions.
The most recent role is Queen 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 found at Clovelly beach – because it’s a local landmark, and people go there specifically to spot it. I just think as remarkable that there’s a local fish that folks genuinely go and see and discuss – it’s a special fish.
What film do you always return to, and why?
Ernst Lubitsch's 1942 comedy To Be Or Not To Be. I love this film. When I was childhood, it would air on the ABC every now and again, and once I recorded it. I found it was so funny. It’s Carole Lombard and comedian Jack Benny. Not long ago they were playing it at the Ritz and it turned out that it was the preferred movie of a friend of mine, and so we went and just laughed repeatedly. It is a masterful work of humor and the entire cast in it are fantastic. Mel Brooks remade it in the 1980s – that wasn’t successful. But the original film is an exceptional farce, to be watched regularly.
What’s the best lesson you learned from someone a colleague?
I was doing A Doll’s House with Pete – now my spouse, but at the time we were not together. We were playing as scene partners and during the premiere I tripped up – I jumped ahead some dialogue in the script. I was unaware of my error but I suddenly realised things were off. I recall looking at him, and he completely saved me, and then our performance regained momentum and proceeded splendidly. But I think what I learned in that moment was, first, always trust the individuals you’re working with. If you don’t know where you are, if you turn around and toward the actors sharing the stage with, you can rediscover your correct position in some way. It’s such communal thing, performing live. And next, just to have a lighthearted attitude about it. Occasionally when something goes wrong, things can ignite in a really great direction if you’re fully engaged in that moment. It may become an unexpected boon when things go completely awry.
What’s been your most touching encounter with a fan?
There isn't just one specific meeting but when I encounter devotees of Lord of the Rings, especially female fans, I hear a lot of stories about what Eowyn impacted them when they were growing up … things that had happened in their lives and how much Eowyn signified for them and was a form of support to them during those periods.
Which questions get asked most frequently by Lord of the Rings fans?
The most detailed inquiry concerns invariably regarding the stew her character prepares for Aragorn. “Was the stew really that bad?” It’s become such a joke, the whole thing involving that dish, and everyone wants to know what was in the pot, and how was it made, and do you think she’s a better cook now, or do you believe she really is a bad cook? People are, I think, fascinated by the comedy of that situation. And I go into lengthy descriptions listing the components that constituted the stew – as I recall what they did; such as put bits of red cotton to make it look like bits of veins in the meat. They went to extreme measures to render it as bad as possible.
What was your most cringeworthy celebrity encounter?
I was at a pilates class and there was a woman lying down doing pilates, and the instructor said to me, “Hello Miranda, this is Miranda.” And I made a lighthearted remark about, “might you be 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 as she rose, it was the actress Miranda Richardson. Then I was at a loss for what to say. I still had to complete my class, and I experienced so embarrassed. I wished to explain: “Oh my gosh, I am aware of who you are!” I consider she’s so fabulous and I was just too starstruck to say anything.
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 settle the matter definitively?
Indeed, I was christened for the Sydney suburb. Mum learned via broadcast that they were opening a mall at that location, and she thought sounded like a pleasant choice.
What’s the most chaotic thing that’s ever happened on set?
While working in Brazil for the film Reaching for the Moon I experienced the most chaotic set of my career, and yet the final product emerged incredibly well. But they just work in a distinct manner. Their concept of time there is unique. Typically, you normally have a schedule and must arrive on set punctually. But this was sort of open ended – you come on set whenever you happen to be ready. It was a really different way of working for me. All aspects were being assembled at the very last minute, and sometimes the plan was unclear where they were shooting or how we were going to do it. And then you’d be in during a scene and be like, “What caused that sound that just interrupted the scene? Ah, it was a crew member opening a bottle during filming, to start a party.” The result was excellent, but wow, it’s a distinct style of film-making.
What are you secretly good at?
I naturally possess good with numbers. I retain numbers easier than I learn dialogue often, I’ve just got 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.
What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?
When I was in secondary school, a speaker addressed us when we were graduating and they said, “have no fear to fail” … an idea I consider is the best piece of advice, since one gains so much more from failure than you learn from success. Success, you never really understand exactly how it happened. Failure, you learn abundant.
A passionate textile artist and community organizer who loves inspiring others through creative sewing projects.
