<http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2002-04/05/content_345681.htm>
Xinhuanet 2002-04-05 10:14:23 BEIJING, April 5 (Xinhuanet) -- A Beijing court opened a hearing Thursday into whether the Poly Theater's height limit for audience members is discriminating.
The hearing focuses on the Beijing theater's refusal to let six-year-old Zhou Yuanyuan watch a January 13 performance with her mother, Friday's China Daily reported.
Zhou was prohibited from entering the theater because she was less than 1.2 meters tall, a restriction set by Poly.
The girl's lawyer, Wang Wei, told the court Thursday that the theater's discrimination infringed upon the girl's right to enjoy arts and receive music education, the daily reported.
Wang cited the Law on the Protection of Minors, which stipulates that the country's museums, memorials, parks, zoos, theaters and stadiums should provide access to primary and middle school students.
The girl's mother, a kindergarten teacher, said her daughter loves music and can behave during performances.
They are seeking a public apology from the theater, a chance to watch a similar performance there and 1,000 yuan (120 U.S. dollars) in compensation, said the China Daily report.
But Shen Zhigeng, the lawyer for the Poly Theater, said the theater imposed the height restriction to ensure a quiet environment for the audience. Shen also told the court that the theater offers regular special performances for children at low cost.
The court will issue a judgment within a few days, according to the report.
The Capital Theater and Beijing Concert Hall said Thursday that they, too, impose height restrictions on their audiences. But both said they would make exceptions if parents say their children will behave.
"Government laws put age restrictions on bars and adult entertainment places, but not theaters," the paper quoted an official with the department of laws and regulations under the Ministry of Culture.
Public opinion about the case varies, as some say the height restriction deprives children of their cultural experiences but others insist that sudden noises made by children may distract an orchestra conductor and jeopardize the whole performance.
===== Kevin Dean Buffalo, NY ICQ: 8616001 AIM: KDean75206 Buffalo Activist Network http://www.buffaloactivist.net http://www.yaysoft.com
__________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax http://taxes.yahoo.com/