Cirque du Soleil clown accused of manhandling woman during Quidam show in Auckland

An image from Cirque du Soleil Quidam.

An audience member at the opening night of Cirque du Soleil's Quidam show has complained to promoters after she was manhandled by a male clown.

Eva Tuala described the experience as "tasteless and very awkward", after she was pulled on stage by the clown at the Vector Arena show.

"I was definitely not a willing 'volunteer'... I had to laugh it off, cause what else can one do when put centre stage. I was embarrassed for myself and my husband watching," she said.

Ms Tuala has laid a complaint with the show's organisers.

Herald theatre critic Janet McAllister reviewed the opening night show, specifically mentioning the awkward scenario.

"Audience participation was in such poor taste as to be offensive: a male clown repeatedly simulated sex with a young woman "volunteer" after she'd fallen on the stage, and cajoled another "volunteer" to do the same," she wrote.

Ms Tuala confirmed she was one of the women brought on stage that night, which she said was fine at first but quickly became "weird".

Cirque du Soleil declined to comment on the situation but confirmed they are in contact with Ms Tuala.

The show, which was created 20 years ago, features a variety of circus acts, including aerial silks, the human hamster wheel, contortion balancing and acrobatics.

Ms Tuala said despite the awkward experience the first half of the show was amazing.