Somerville Theatre bans (young) kids from entering after 6 pm. Let's discuss it here

[ron_newman]

This week's Somerville News has an article about the Somerville Theatre's policy of banning children under 12 8* from entering the theatre after 6 pm, even if they are accompanied by adults.

Is the theatre's policy a service to its customers who want a peaceful movie experience, or is it unfair discrimination against families with young children?

I'm posting this because we can have a more civilized discussion here than on the Somerville News blog comments. Ian Judge, the theatre's manager, reads this community, so we may be able to provide useful feedback to him here.

* Edited 11:55 am to add: I have a serious factual issue with this article. It says the policy applies to children under 12, but the theatre's website and exterior signs say it's for children under 8. That's a significant difference -- maybe significant enough to change people's opinions.

Second edit, 3 pm: Ian Judge has clarified that the theatre's policy is to exclude children under 8, not 12, from entering after 6 pm. He had made an erroneous statement to the News reporter which very unfortunately made it into the published article. Also, here is Ian's response to the specific incident detailed in the News article.

Comments

get over yourself

[truesomerville.livejournal.com]

i find it very amusing that people think they have the authority to put an age limit on who can attend a somerville theatre movie...just because you moved here doesn't mean you have ANY right to decide who can see a movie and who can't....i went to see the movie Wanted a couple of weeks ago and was so aggravated at the NINE YUPPIES in front of me laughing hysterically at serious parts of the movie...talk about immature they were AT LEAST over thirty and acted like they owned the movie theatre. so whose the 12 year old now? YUPPIES IN SOMERVILLE ARE TAKING THE FUN OUT OF EVERYTHING FOR KIDS!!!!!! i'm so sick of the yuppies in this city who think they are superior to us locals, if you don't like it MOVE...what do you think the somerville theatre is such a cool spot to hang out at cause you can buy a cup of beer one at a time now?? get over your selves and realize its not all about you....you're going have to deal with punks at a movie theatre once in your life so stop writing letters and complaints about it... what do you think you have over us besides COMPLAINTS about everything....i feel bad for your kids when you have them i really do...and i hope my kids will beat the living crap out of them...