In Kiev he took part in the Russian-language Solovtsov Theater, which had become known for its dedication to artistic as well as commercial success; he was at first an "extra", and then advanced to small roles.
ɪn kˈiːɛf hiː tˈʊk pˈɑːɹt ɪnðə ɹˈʌʃənlˈæŋɡwɪdʒ sˈɑːləvtsˌɑːv θˈiəɾɚ, wˌɪtʃ hæd bɪkˌʌm nˈoʊn fɔːɹ ɪts dˌɛdɪkˈeɪʃən tʊ ɑːɹtˈɪstɪk æz wˈɛl æz kəmˈɜːʃəl səksˈɛs; hiː wʌz æt fˈɜːst æn "ˈɛkstɹə", ænd ðˈɛn ɐdvˈænst tə smˈɔːl ɹˈoʊlz.