As a regular cinemagoer, I tend to watch only the most spectacular releases at Eden's Cinema 16, which is now their only screen with any notable advantage in terms of size and sound quality over competitors' screens.

On Wednesday, July 21, I went to watch the 9.15 p.m. showing of Spider-Man 2. The cinema was half-full, including a large number of foreign students. The first half of the film passed quietly, but after the intermission most of the students had obviously had enough and decided to make it a party.

Loud conversations over several rows, catcalling, spontaneous clapping, students getting up and walking about - you had to be there to believe it. Incredibly, through all this, not one usher made his or her presence felt. Not one usher was even visible.

The noise went on and eventually became so frustrating that one woman had to shout out at the top of her voice for everyone to shut up - which of course had the opposite effect on the students, who applauded and jeered her.

At the end of the film I was disgusted to count at least seven ushers in the foyer having a laugh, waiting with bags in hand to clean up after the audience. They really and truly couldn't have cared less about what went on.

I know that I'm not the only patron that Eden have lost from that particular showing of that particular film - I wonder how many others there are.

Eden needn't write in to promise improvements - again. We just don't believe them any more, and certainly won't be there to find out.