I've seen several Cirque shows, including Las Vegas, road performances, and La Nouba at DTD and I still think La Nouba was the most captivating. That said, our experience was rather flawless, without the numerous slip ups that OP saw.
I don't do clowns either (yet still subject myself to Jack at Halloween Horror Nights every October for some sadistic reason that escapes me
) but Cirque isn't really so much clown-like as it is theatrical. I guess that's why they don't creep me like standard issue clowns do.
You know, Cirque is a mixed back of theater, music, and athleticism and all of those things are very subjective to the eye of the beholder. It's simply not a form of entertainment that's for everyone.
Me, I love it! Sorry you didn't!
I don't do clowns either (yet still subject myself to Jack at Halloween Horror Nights every October for some sadistic reason that escapes me

You know, Cirque is a mixed back of theater, music, and athleticism and all of those things are very subjective to the eye of the beholder. It's simply not a form of entertainment that's for everyone.
Me, I love it! Sorry you didn't!