Within a year of taking over the St James's, Alexander began a mutually beneficial professional association with Oscar Wilde, whose "Lady Windermere's Fan" he presented in February 1892. The following year he produced Pinero's, "The Second Mrs Tanqueray", presented in May 1893. Like "Lady Windermere's Fan" it featured "a woman with a past", but unlike Wilde's play it ended in tragedy. It was thought daring at the time, but Alexander knew his audiences and kept to what Pearson called his "safe path of correct riskiness". It ran for 227 performances in its first production and was later much revived. The title role was first played by Mrs Patrick Campbell, who made her name in the part.